. - 
 
<rfZ<t<4 
 
 FROM THE LIBRARY OF 
 
 REV. LOUIS FITZGERALD BENSON, D. D. 
 
 BEQUEATHED BY HIM TO 
 
 THE LIBRARY OF 
 
 PRINCETON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY 
 
 Sc5 
 /5, £7/ 
 

Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 
 in 2012 with funding from 
 
 Princeton Theological Seminary Library 
 
 http://archive.org/details/importanceOOwinc 
 

 TIIE 
 
 A OCT 27 1937 
 I M P O R T A N C SS% 0fi|CAL c,av#' 
 
 OF 
 
 FAMILY RELIGION; 
 
 WITH A SELECTION OF 
 
 PRAYERS AND HYMNS, 
 
 ADAPTED TO FAMILY WORSHIP; 
 
 AND TABLES 
 
 FOR THE REGULAR READING OF THE SCRIPTURES. 
 
 REV. S. G. WINCHESTER, A. 31. 
 
 ■As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." 
 
 Josh. xxiv. 15. 
 
 SECOND EDITION. 
 
 yitftattelpJua: 
 
 GRIGG & ELLIOT, No. 9, N. FOURTH STREET. 
 1840. 
 
Entered according to the act of Congress, in the year 1835, 
 by Grigg & Elliot, in the clerk's office of the district court, 
 for the eastern district of Pennsylvania. 
 
 PRINTED BY T. K. AND P. C. COLLINS. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 No apology is needed for adding another to 
 the number of works on the subject of family 
 religion, already before the public. The incal- 
 culable importance of the subject, justifies every 
 effort to secure for it, a serious and prayerful 
 consideration. This book is designed to point 
 out the duty and advantages of family devotion, 
 and to aid in its regular observance. 
 
 Its object is not to supersede all extempora- 
 neous devotion, but to encourage and assist 
 those who, from time to time, begin to perform 
 the duty, and who may have little or no confi- 
 dence in their own ability to do it acceptably 
 and for edification. 
 
 We are not among the number of those who 
 condemn indiscriminately all forms, but only the 
 abuse of them. Indeed, we have, in common 
 with others, sometimes joined in an extempora- 
 neous prayer, where the use of a devout and judi- 
 cious form, would have been far more comfortable 
 and edifying. The desultory and tautological 
 character of some such prayers, added to their 
 unreasonable and tedious length, is calculated to 
 
iv PREFACE. 
 
 suppress, rather than excite devotion ; and often 
 renders irksome and unprofitable, what should be 
 a delightful and highly beneficial exercise. Par- 
 ticularly should these defects be guarded against 
 in family worship, where sometimes, in conse- 
 quence of them, a portion of the company are 
 prayed asleep, and the rest, into any thing but a 
 devotional frame of mind. The object which 
 should always be aimed at, in divine worship, is 
 edification, and the glory of God : should this 
 volume be instrumental in effecting such a pur- 
 pose, the design of its publication will be fully 
 accomplished. 
 
 To the heads of families it is respectfully dedi- 
 cated ; to the glory of God it is humbly devoted ; 
 and to his favour and blessing it is prayerfully 
 commended. 
 
 Philadelphia, January, 1836. 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
 
 Page 
 
 Essay on the Importance of Family Religion 13 
 
 First week of Morning and Evening Prayers 77 
 
 Second week 110 
 
 Third week 144 
 
 Fourth week 175 
 
 OCCASIONAL PRAYERS. 
 
 A morning prayer for the first Monday in the Month 211 
 
 A prayer for the last evening of the Old Year 214 
 
 A prayer for the first morning of the New Year 216 
 
 A prayer for the morning of a Fast Day 219 
 
 A prayer for the morning of a thanksgiving day 221 
 
 A prayer when any member of the family is sick 223 
 
 A prayer when any member of the family is dangerously ill 224 
 
 A family thanksgiving for recovery from sickness 225 
 
 A prayer for Christmas Day morning 226 
 
 A prayer for Christmas Day evening 227 
 
 A prayer upon the death of dear friends 228 
 
 A prayer in the view of journeying 229 
 
 A thanksgiving for a safe return from a journey 230 
 
 A prayer for rain 231 
 
 A prayer for fair weather 231 
 
 A prayer to be used in secret by the head of a family 232 
 
 Prayers and thanksgivings at Table 234 
 
 HYMNS. 
 
 Morning Hymns 235 
 
 Evening Hymns 243 
 
 Morning or Evening Hymns 253 
 
 Sabbath Morning or Evening Hymns 255 
 
 Miscellaneous Hymns 271 
 
 1* 
 
INDEX OF THE FIRST LINES OF HYMNS. 
 
 A. 
 
 Again the Lord of life and light 261 
 
 Again our weekly labours end 256 
 
 All hail ! the glorious morn 266 
 
 And now another week begins 2G0 
 
 Another six days' work is done 264 
 
 Angels, roll the rock away 268 
 
 Another day is past 250 
 
 Arise our souls ! with rapture rise 242 
 
 As when the weary traveller gains 272 
 
 At anchor laid, remote from home - ..-:■ 
 
 Awake, our drowsy souls 258 
 
 Awake, my soul, in joyful lays 298 
 
 Awake, ye saints, awake 269 
 
 B. 
 
 Begin my soul the morning song 235 
 
 Beset with snares on ev'ry hand 281 
 
 Begone, unbelief! my Saviour is near 290 
 
 Brightness of the Father's glory 273 
 
 C. 
 
 Christ, whose glory fills the skies 240 
 
 Come, dearest Lord ! and bless this day 255 
 
 Come, Holy Spirit, heavenly Dove 279 
 
 Come, let us join with sweet accord 255 
 
 Come, let our hearts and voices join 273 
 
 Come, let us join our cheerful songs 282 
 
 Come tune, ye saints, your noblest strains 262 
 
 Come, thou Fount of every blessing 285 
 
 Come, thou Almighty King 292 
 
 D. 
 Dread Sov'reign, let my evening song, 243 
 
 E. 
 Eternal Lord! from land to land 295 
 
 F. 
 
 Father, by saints on earth adored 244 
 
 Father of all, thy care we bless 271 
 
 Father of all, whose tender love 286 
 
 Frequent the day of God returns 270 
 
 G. 
 
 Glory to triee, my God, this night 244 
 
 Great God, to thee my evening song 245 
 
 Great God ! this sacred day of thine 256 
 
INDEX* OF FIRST LINES. vii 
 
 H. 
 
 How blest the sacred tie that binds 275 
 
 How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord 281 
 
 How precious is the book divine 274 
 
 How sweet the name of Jesus sounds 298 
 
 I. 
 
 I and ray house will serve the Lord 272 
 
 I love to steal awhile away 252 
 
 In.sleep's serene oblivion laid 236 
 
 Indulgent Father, by whose care 215 
 
 Inspirer and hearer of prayer 251 
 
 Indulgent God, whose bounteous care 251 
 
 Indulgent Father, how divine 254 
 
 In vain we seek for peace with God 275 
 
 In all my ways, O God , 276 
 
 In sin by blinded passions led 276 
 
 I would not live alvvay: I ask not to stay 297 
 
 J. 
 Jesus ! lover of my soul 293 
 
 L. 
 
 Lord, in the morning thou shalt hear 257 
 
 Lord of my life, O may thy praise 235 
 
 Lord, thou wilt hear me when I pray 248 
 
 Love divine, all love excelling 283 
 
 M. 
 
 My God, accept my early vows 253 
 
 My God, how endless is thy love 253 
 
 My God, my Father! blissful name 296 
 
 My God! who makes the sun to know 240 
 
 My opening eyes with rapture see 261 
 
 N. 
 
 Never leave us, nor forsake us ... . '. 277 
 
 Now from the altar of our hearts 247 
 
 Now to the Lamb that once was slain 278 
 
 Now the shades of night are gone 238 
 
 O 
 
 O for a heart to praise my God 299 
 
 Oh, for a closer walk with God 293 
 
 Oh, could I find, from day to day 289 
 
 O Lord, another day is flown 247 
 
 Once more my eyes behold the day, 237 
 
 Once more, my soul, the rising day 237 
 
 O Thou, my light, my life, my joy 277 
 
 O that my load of sin were gone 279 
 
 O Thou who driest the mourner's tear 296 
 
via INDEX OF FIRST LINES. 
 
 R. 
 
 Rise, my soul, and stretch thy wings 284 
 
 Rock of ages! cleft for me 282 
 
 S. 
 
 Safely through another week 271 
 
 Saviour, breathe an evening blessing, 247 
 
 See how the mounting sun 241 
 
 See what a living stone 263 
 
 Softly now the light of day 252 
 
 Sweet as the Shepherd's tuneful reed 294 
 
 Sweet is the work, my God, my King 262 
 
 T. 
 
 Thou, gracious Lord, art my defence 239 
 
 Thou, that dost my life prolong 239 
 
 The rising morn can not ensure 241 
 
 Thy glory, Lord, the heavens display 242 
 
 The night shall hear us raise our songs 246 
 
 Through the day thy love has spared us 248 
 
 This is the day the Lord hath made 259 
 
 Thus far the Lord has led me on 249 
 
 The day is past and gone 250 
 
 This is the day the Lord hath made 263 
 
 Thine earthly Sabbaths, Lord, we love 269 
 
 Thy goodness, Lord, our souls confess 278 
 
 The voice of free grace, cries, Escape to the mountain 288 
 
 The sound of salvation is echoed afar 291 
 
 To-day the Saviour rose 265 
 
 To Jesus, the crown of my hope 280 
 
 W. 
 
 Welcome, delightful morn 259 
 
 Welcome, sweet day of rest 265 
 
 What sinners val ue I resign 280 
 
 When marshall'd on the nightly plain 283 
 
 When gathering clouds around I view 286 
 
 Who is this that comes from Edom 289 
 
 Whilst thee I seek, protecting Power 291 
 
 When streaming from the eastern 6kies 254 
 
 Y. 
 
 Yes ! the Redeemer rose 267 
 
 Ye angels who stand round the throne 287 
 
TABLES — for the Regular Perusal of the Holy Scriptures for every day in the 
 year. By William Stones. By this plan, the Psalms and New Testament will be 
 read twice, and the Old Testament once in each year. 
 
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FAMILY RELIGION 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 SECTION I. 
 
 God, the Creator of man, established the family consti- 
 tution. " God setteth the solitary in families," Ps. lxviii. 
 6. As to the design of this constitution, we are expressly 
 informed in Malachi ii. 15. "And did not he make one? 
 Yet had he the residue of the Spirit. And wherefore one 1 
 That he might seek a godly seed." And it is declared 
 that " a seed shall serve him," Ps. xxii. 30. When God 
 ordains an end, all the means requisite for its accomplish- 
 ment are necessarily implied, and sometimes specifically 
 prescribed. If then the design of God, in the family con- 
 stitution, be to raise up a holy seed to serve him, it is in- 
 cumbent on those who have the charge of families to train 
 them up with a special view to this declared end, other- 
 wise it will be presumption to expect that this end will be 
 answered. 
 
 From the nature and design of the family constitution, 
 therefore, arises a solemn duty resting upon parents and 
 masters, to train up their children and servants in the way 
 in which they should go, in the nurture and admonition 
 of the Lord, so that when they come to the years of dis- 
 cretion and self-government, they may not depart from it, 
 but become " a godly seed" to serve the Lord. 
 
 The family constitution is the original, elementary, and 
 therefore the simplest form of society. All public com- 
 munities, whether civil or ecclesiastical, are composed of 
 
 2 
 
14 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 families. The forms of public societies, and their modes 
 of government, have undergone, and are still undergoing, 
 great and important changes ; but that of the family re- 
 mains, amid all these revolutions, essentially the same as 
 when originally constituted. This is the only form of go- 
 vernment, whose claim to Divine appointment has not 
 been questioned or denied. To this appointment, as well 
 as to the nature of the institution itself, may be attributed, 
 under the purpose-accomplishing providence of its Great 
 Founder, the perpetuity of its existence and form. Fami- 
 lies continue on the earth, that the wise object of theii 
 establishment, may be effected. 
 
 Families are the appointed nurseries of both Church 
 and State. They are to furnish civil society with virtu- 
 ous and w T orthy members, and the church with active, 
 useful, and devoted Christians. Both worlds may, there- 
 fore, be said to meet in the family society, and bring with 
 them those considerations which enhance to an awful de- 
 gree, the weighty responsibilities which rest upon the fa- 
 mily head. From this divinely established fountain of 
 influences, shall issue blessings or curses upon the nation 
 and the Church. Into this fountain, then, must be thrown 
 the salt, that its streams may be purified and purifying. 
 Otherwise they will convey pollution and death whither- 
 soever they flow. 
 
 The head of a family sustains to his household the three- 
 fold relation of a king, a prophet, and a priest As a 
 king, he rules his house, and administers its government. 
 As a prophet, it is his business to impart suitable instruc- 
 tion to his children and servants. And as a priest, he 
 should conduct the worship, and lead the social devotions 
 of the family. These duties are strictly of a religious 
 character, and are enjoined by Divine authority. They 
 arise naturally out of the family constitution ; and their 
 
FAMILY RELIGION. 15 
 
 conscientious and faithful performance, with the Divine 
 blessing, can alone secure the great end of that institution. 
 To a plain but careful examination of these duties, the 
 reader's attention is now invited. 
 
 SECTION II. 
 
 The parent is the divinely constituted head and lord 
 of his family. The authority which he possesses is not 
 usurped, but is delegated to him by the source of all au- 
 thority. It belongs to the station which he occupies, and 
 to which he has been called by the providence of God. 
 He is invested with certain legislative and executive pre- 
 rogatives. He has committed to his supervision a most 
 interesting and important charge ; and to God, the Judge 
 of all, he must one day render an account of his steward- 
 ship. Nor is he left without ample instruction as to his 
 duties, and the manner in which he should discharge them. 
 The Scriptures are a safe and sufficient guide in this mat- 
 ter. The inspired volume should be the man of his coun- 
 sel. It abounds with precept and example, bearing directly 
 on the subject of parental duty and responsibility. 
 
 These duties and responsibilities are weighty and so- 
 lemn. An adequate conception of their magnitude, might 
 make even an angel tremble to assume them. Parents, 
 remotely and instrumentally, control the nations of the 
 earth, by forming and directing public sentiment and feel- 
 ing. They wield the sceptre of authority, though visibly 
 held by the hands of a few. They enact and execute the 
 laws, by training the minds and habits of those who be- 
 come lawgivers and judges. And they, humanly speak- 
 ing, decide the character and destiny of their respective 
 generations, both for this world and the next. How stu- 
 pendous the power, how awful the responsibilities of pa- 
 rents ! 
 
16 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 The parent is a sovereign in his family. His word is 
 law to his household. The apostle Paul enjoins, " chil- 
 dren, obey your parents in the Lord." Eph. vi. 1. The 
 decalogue enjoins, " Honour thy father and mother." This 
 is the first commandment with a promise. Servants are 
 exhorted to be obedient to their masters according to the 
 flesh. Eph. vi. 5. God said of Abraham, " I know him, 
 that he will command his children and his household after 
 him." Gen. xviii. 19. Here is the existence of rightful 
 authority, and a command to render it due obedience. 
 No human authority can interfere with, nor contravene 
 that of a parent over his family. The civil arm reaches 
 beyond its legitimate sphere, when it presumes to obtrude 
 its power into the domestic circle. Even the most abso- 
 lute monarch is compelled to respect the family authority : 
 for " no king can be secure on his throne, where no sub- 
 ject is safe in his house." 
 
 But although there can be no appeal to human autho- 
 rity, from the due administration of parental government, 
 yet the head of a family is not the ultimate lord, with un- 
 derived authority. His power is delegated to him by the 
 Founder of the domestic society. And should he pre- 
 sume to contravene the primary obligations of religious 
 duty, which are imposed on his children and servants by 
 their Creator, he would usurp an authority with which he 
 has never been invested. This would be treason against 
 the Most High, and rebellion against the Supreme Head 
 of all families. While children are commanded to " obey 
 their parents," it is nevertheless added, " in the Lord." 
 Eph. vi. 1. 
 
 This delegation and restriction of power, should ever 
 be remembered by parents, and never be forgotten by 
 their children. While the parent, therefore, acts within 
 his prescribed sphere, obedience to his commands, is obe- 
 
FAMILY RELIGION. 17 
 
 dience to God. This circumstance imparts to parental 
 authority a moral influence, which no usurped power can 
 ever exert over the minds of children and servants. A 
 child should be made distinctly to understand the source 
 whence his parents derive their authority to command, 
 direct, and control him. This knowledge will beget in 
 his mind a reverence for that authority, which will most 
 commonly secure a willing and habitual obedience. It 
 brings to his mind the influence of higher motives, than 
 can possibly be derived from mere human authority, or 
 natural connexion. He looks upon obedience as a reli- 
 gious duty, and not as a forced submission to the caprice 
 and tyranny of parents. And he regards his obligation 
 to obey, not as imposed by human authority, or by the 
 mere relation which he sustains to his parents, but as 
 flowing from the express command of God. 
 
 SECTION III. 
 
 The parent is invested with authority for some wise 
 and special end, which looks beyond this world, and 
 " things temporal." It is to acomplish the great purpose 
 for which the family was constituted. It is true, that as 
 a community and as individuals, we are greatly indebted 
 to the domestic society, for many of the comforts and 
 much of the peace of social life. It administers consola- 
 tion and support in times of trial and affliction, and affords 
 sympathy and relief in distress. It enlivens the dull mo- 
 notony of private life. It relaxes the care-worn brow, 
 and renders cheerful and pleasant the toils of business. 
 But all this is in proportion to the peace, the harmony, 
 and the love that reign in the family circle, and in pro- 
 portion to the extent in which we answer the great end 
 of the domestic constitution. This great end, therefore, 
 should never be lost sight of, but constantly aimed at, in 
 
 2* 
 
18 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 the administration of its government. Wholesome disci- 
 pline must be faithfully exercised. The reins of govern- 
 ment must not be slackened, nor fall from the parent's 
 hands, nor pass into those of others. Over indulgence, 
 whatever degree of affection is plead as its cause and ex- 
 cuse, should never be practised. This enervates power, 
 and renders authority contemptible, in the eyes of those 
 who should revere and obey it. It is painful to parental 
 love to administer correction. But this is both a duty 
 and a trial when it is necessary. This duty should be 
 performed with prayerfulness and deliberation ; not with 
 passion, nor in an angry mood ; otherwise it will fail to 
 produce the proper effect. The child should be taught 
 that it is a religious duty, and a painful one. That it 
 seeks his welfare, and not the gratification of a revenge- 
 ful spirit. " He that spareth his rod hateth his son : but 
 he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes," Prov. xiii. 
 24. " Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child ; but 
 the rod of correction shall drive it far from him," Prov. 
 xxii. 15. "The rod and reproof give wisdom; but a 
 child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame," Prov. 
 xxix. 15. "Withhold not correction from the child: for 
 if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou 
 shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from 
 hell," Prov. xxiii. 13, 14. Here the ultimate design of 
 discipline is manifest. It is to save the soul : and to an- 
 swer the end of the domestic constitution, by training up 
 your children for the service of God, and to be heirs of 
 salvation. We apprehend that the above passages of 
 Scripture teach the necessity and duty of discipline in a 
 family. The rod, however, should not be resorted to, 
 when the object of discipline may be accomplished by 
 milder means. It is a difficult and unpleasant duty, but 
 one from which we cannot shrink, if we would be faith- 
 ful to God and our children. Let the child be taught tnat 
 
FAMILY RELIGION. 19 
 
 he is corrected because God enjoins it, and that the pa- 
 rent cannot avoid it without offending God, and violating 
 his command, and he will be led to view the chastisement 
 as inflicted by God's authority ; and thence be induced to 
 regard the improper conduct for which he is corrected, 
 as not only an offence against his parents, but also as a 
 sin against God. This brings the authority of God, in 
 addition to that of the parent, to bear directly on his mind. 
 Such discipline begets in the mind of a child the fear of 
 God, and a reverence for the parent's authority. Paul 
 says, " we have had fathers of our flesh, which corrected 
 us; and we gave them reverence," Heb. xii. 9. The 
 child may not be able to see how such discipline promotes 
 his own good, but it is nevertheless true : for " no chas- 
 tening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous : 
 nevertheless, afterwards it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of 
 righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby." 
 Heb. xii. 11. For this end God chastises the children of 
 his grace. " For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, 
 and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye en- 
 dure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons ; for 
 what son is he whom the father chasteneth not 1 But if 
 ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, 
 then are ye bastards and not sons." Heb. xii. 6 — 8. 
 
 Let no sin pass un reproved, but let the reproof be time- 
 ly and suitable, and administered with wisdom and affec- 
 tion. Let no undue indulgence, no misnamed affection, 
 no expressive silence, sanction, or give the colour of in- 
 nocence to, improper conduct. Let no course of sinful 
 behaviour, or criminal indulgence remain unchecked, lest 
 it become too strong for parental discipline, and break 
 down the government of the family. 
 
 The neglect of domestic discipline is commonly follow- 
 ed by disgrace and ruin. We have an eminent example 
 of this in the history of the sons of Eli, and of his sinful 
 
20 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 indulgence toward them. When they had been guilty of 
 the grossest sins, he administered no more than a mild re- 
 proof, which laxness in early life had doubtless led to such 
 enormous crimes, 1 Sam. ii. 23. The house of Eli was 
 punished, "because his sons made themselves vile, and 
 he restrained them not," 1 Saml. iii. 13. 
 
 This truth may also be exemplified in the life of David. 
 " Observe his indulgence of Amnon. It produced incest. 
 Remark his indulgence of Absalom, who besought him to 
 allow his brethren to partake of a feast which he had pre- 
 pared. It produced assassination. See his weak fond- 
 ness for the same Absalom, w T ho endeavoured to make 
 his way to the throne by mean and clownish manners, 
 affecting to shake hands with the Israelites, and to em- 
 brace and kiss them, (these are the terms of Scrip- 
 ture ;) and practising all such popular arts as generally 
 precede and predict sedition. This produced a civil war. 
 Remark how he indulged Adonijah, who made himself 
 chariots, and set up a retinue of fifty men. The sacred 
 historian tells us, that ' his father had not displeased him 
 at any time, in saying, Why hast thou done so V 1 Kings, 
 i. 6. This produced a usurpation of the throne and the 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 SECTION L 
 
 The head of a family should act the part of a Prophet 
 towards the rest of his household, and impart to them 
 such instruction as is calculated to answer the purpose 
 for which he is placed in honour and authority over them. 
 Without such instruction, he can not, and ought not, to 
 expect to accomplish much by the exercise of parental 
 discipline. 
 
FAMILY RELIGION. 21 
 
 " These words which I command thee this day, shall 
 be in thine heart; and thou shalt teach them diligently 
 unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sit- 
 test in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, 
 and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up," 
 Deut. vi. 6, 7. This does not relate merely to instruction 
 in the school, but particularly to familiar, domestic teach- 
 ing. This instruction must concern the word of God, in- 
 cluding its doctrines and duties. It must be imparted 
 with diligence, with patience, and frequent repetition 
 The natural blindness of the mind to spiritual things, and 
 the darkening of the understanding produced by sin, render 
 such diligence absolutely necessary, in order to make any 
 tolerable progress in the work of domestic education. 
 
 The natural opposition of the heart to spiritual and holy 
 knowledge, seems to require the affectionate, careful, and 
 frequent inculcation of divine truth. 
 
 The language of the carnal heart is, " I desire not the 
 knowledge of these things." And the reason is to be 
 found in that Scripture declaration, " the carnal mind is 
 enmity against God." Men naturally, therefore, " love 
 darkness rather than light." Weeds grow apace, but 
 good plants require a careful and patient cultivation. The 
 former are indigenous, the latter are exotic, and require 
 the utmost diligence and watchfulness in planting and 
 nurturing them. 
 
 The memory has been greatly impaired by sin, and 
 children are particularly forgetful of that which it is of 
 the most importance they should remember. Hence the 
 necessity of inculcating again and again the same truths. 
 
 This work, in order to prove effectual, must be com- 
 menced at a very early age. Recent experiments have 
 demonstrated that children are susceptible of important 
 instruction, at a much earlier age than has hitherto been 
 thought possible. 
 
22 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 The Infant School System has developed many impor- 
 tant principles in regard to the early education of chil- 
 dren. Many children are now in possession of much in- 
 formation, although not yet advanced to that period of 
 life, at which but few, if any, hitherto deemed it expedi- 
 ent or important even to commence instruction. Impres- 
 sions may be very early made, and with much more ease 
 too, than at any subsequent period. The mind of a child 
 is like soft wax, that is susceptible of any impression that 
 may be attempted, and that without much difficulty, 
 .ons are the most lasting, and are removed 
 with great difficulty, if ever removed at alL Indeed, 
 perhaps at any age it is far more difficult to remove im- 
 ■ons than to make them: 
 
 ** As the twig is bent so the tree's inclined.*' 
 Even in old age, after having passed through the trials, the 
 turmoils, and vicissitudes of a protracted life, the princi- 
 instilled in early life, are not forgotten, but are often 
 more fresh and vivid in the mind, than those adopted in 
 later ye? 
 
 And it should ever be borne in mind by parents, that 
 impressions trill ineritahly be made upon the minds of 
 their children. If they do not make them, others will ; 
 and if they be not good, they will be bad. 
 
 The young and tender mind, like the cameleon, receives 
 - from every thing around it If it be neglected 
 by you, it will not be by the deviL "While the men 
 slept, his enemy came and sowed tares arnonor the wheat," 
 Matt xiii. 25. The neglected mind of a child is like an 
 untilied garden, it will not be barren, but be overgrown 
 with noxious weeds, which will choak and destroy every 
 wholesome plant which may occasionally take root. Pa- 
 rents will then have a double work to perform. They 
 Most remove bad impressions, and root out injurious prin- 
 ciples: make good impressions, and instil right princi 
 
■IILV RELIGION. 23 
 
 pies. But " fill the bushel with wheat, and you may defy 
 the devil to fill it with tares." 
 
 I am aware of an objection which some make to the 
 course above proposed, which is perhaps made rather to 
 relieve the objector of the duty in question, than because 
 he believes there is any force in the objection itself, and 
 which, on that account, hardly deserves notice in this lit- 
 tle essay ; but a passing remark may not be misplaced or 
 useless. The objection is, that the minds of children ought 
 not to be forestalled in the matter of religion; that it is tak- 
 ing an unfair advantage of their tender age, and virtually 
 depriving them of the liberty of choice and judgment, in a 
 matter so important To say nothing of the anti-scriptural 
 character of the objection, we may observe, that the objec- 
 tion takes for granted, what we and all Christians are very 
 far from conceding, namely, that there is nothing in the heart 
 of a child which predisposes him to a wrong choice, and 
 that the natural understanding of a child, even at the age 
 when he should make the choice, is sufficiently enlightened 
 in spiritual things to make a good one. The Scriptures 
 declare that u the natural man receiveth not the things 
 of the Spirit of God. they are foolishness to him; neither 
 can he know them, because th r-irituafly discern- 
 
 ed." Those who make this objection have certainly never 
 seen nor felt the ne igion themselves. For 
 
 the question now is. not between different creeds, but be- 
 n religion and irreligion. Had they found the pearl 
 of great price, they would not be disposed to conceal it 
 from their children, lest their discovery of it to them, 
 should forestall their opinion as to its character and value. 
 Had they been made sensible of the awful danger to 
 which they and their children were exposed, they would 
 not refuse to point it out to them, and warn them, lest 
 they should thereby forestall their opinion of that danger, 
 ur of its existence at all. n have no settled be- 
 
24 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 lief in truth themselves, and do clearly manifest an indif- 
 ference to all truth, and recognise no distinction between 
 truth and falsehood, right and wrong. Besides, had this 
 been the mind of God, it were necessary that all men 
 should have the requisite means and opportunity of arriv- 
 ing at the truth ; but this is so far from being the case, 
 that even with such advantages, few arrive at the truth, 
 who have not been the subjects of early instruction. And 
 finally, as to this objection, if natural reason be a suffi- 
 cient guide to the discovery of truth and duty, as those 
 who would rescue children from the unfair advantage of 
 early instruction, suppose to be the case, then natural 
 reason is a sufficient light to distinguish between truth 
 and error, when proposed to its decision by others : so 
 that they are in no more danger of being betrayed and 
 led astray by instruction, than by being left to themselves. 
 How T ever, the command to teach your children dili- 
 gently the words of the Lord, has never been revoked, 
 and the apostolic injunction to " bring up your children 
 in the nurture and admonition of the Lord," is still in 
 force, Eph. vi. 4. " My son," says Solomon, " hear the 
 instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy 
 mother," Prov. i. 8. This implies the duty of parental 
 instruction ; and it is much safer to hearken to the advice 
 of Solomon, the wisest of men, and withal, divinely in- 
 spired, than to w r alk in the counsel of the ungodly, Ps. i. 
 1. For "the counsels of the wicked are deceit," Prov. 
 xii. 5. 
 
 SECTION II. 
 
 The term education, as it is commonly received, is too 
 restricted in its signification. In its usual acceptation, it 
 is applied to the acquisition of what may with propriety 
 be called worldly information, as distinguished from spiri- 
 tual knowledge ; and to the training of the mind for the 
 
FAMILY RELIGION. 25 
 
 investigation of philosophical truth, or for the business 
 and callings of this life. Hence has arisen the qualified 
 phrase, " religious education" to designate the particular 
 character of the instruction and training received. This 
 circumstance has alienated the idea of religion and spiri- 
 tual knowledge from the word " education," as generally 
 employed and understood. But, strictly speaking, it forms 
 much the most important part of all genuine and scriptu- 
 ral education. No education can be complete without it, 
 nor answer the great end for which all knowledge should 
 be imparted or acquired. 
 
 There is, moreover, a species of domestic education, 
 long sanctioned by fashionable society, which is just the 
 opposite of that which we apprehend to be enjoined by 
 Scripture. And if it be not effected by direct instruction, 
 it is by current precept and habitual example. The con- 
 versation and conduct of some parents, make the impres- 
 sion on the minds of their children, that happiness con- 
 sists in the possession of wealth or fame, or in the indul- 
 gence of fashion, pleasure, or amusement. Hence, as we 
 might expect, this impression (than which nothing can be 
 more erroneous) gives character and direction to all the 
 exertions and aims of their children through life. The 
 chief business of life they suppose to be to acquire wealth, 
 or expend it in the indulgence of the various animal pas- 
 sions. Under such an influence, they are trained to shine 
 in the hall of gaiety and fashion, to parade the street in 
 idleness and show, and become the object of the world's 
 approbation, its envy and applause. The burden of pa- 
 rental solicitude seems to be, in such cases, that their chil- 
 dren may appear to what they falsely judge to be advan- 
 tage in society. No trouble nor expense is spared to se- 
 cure this end. The topics of family conversation, and that 
 too in the presence of the younger members and servants, 
 are fashionable opinions, parties, amusements, and dress ; 
 
26 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 the merits and pleasures of the last party, and the pros- 
 pects and anticipations of the next; or the character, 
 manners, appearance, and defects of such an one, and the 
 beauties, accomplishments, and merits of another. With 
 such training, what must inevitably be the character of 
 the children? Their education has no reference what- 
 ever to the next world, and looks not beyond the grave, 
 yea, not beyond the days of health, prosperity, and ac- 
 tive life. They are trained to be butterflies, to flutter for 
 a season in a gaudy attire, from place to place, while the 
 short summer of life sheds upon them its genial warmth, 
 and to be forgotten and unknown, when the chilling win- 
 ter of sickness, of age, of adversity or death shall come 
 upon them. Yes, many who sing in the giddy circle, 
 
 " I would be a butterfly," 
 have their wish even while they utter it. Many Chris- 
 tian parents, so called, are a thousandfold more guilty 
 and cruel towards their children, than the heathen Chi- 
 nese towards theirs. The former do for the heads and 
 hearts of their children, what the latter do for the feet of 
 theirs. They compress them into the smallest possible 
 compass. Such an education unfits them for usefulness 
 in this life, or happiness in the next ; for their salvation is 
 thus rendered wholly improbable, and next to impossible. 
 They are miserable in both worlds ; drones in this, and 
 outcasts in the next. It is, to be sure, a more refined and 
 fashionable road to perdition, but not the less, but rather 
 the more, certain on that account. It is a road strewed 
 with flowers, but they are the leaves of the cypress, the 
 badges of mourning over ruined souls. It may be enli- 
 vened by music, but it is the sweetly alluring voice of the 
 syren. The devoted travellers may be decked in gar- 
 lands, but it is for the immolation of the soul. 
 
 Indeed, such an education does not contemplate the fu- 
 ture existence of the soul at all. For if such parents make 
 
FAMILY RELIGION. 27 
 
 suitable provision for the bodies of their children in this 
 life, still there is none made for the soul in the life to come. 
 This is entirely overlooked, as unimportant and unneces- 
 sary. But does not the brute creation protect and pro- 
 vide for the bodies of their offspring ? Wherein do they 
 differ? 
 
 The duty of spiritual education and provision is also 
 binding in reference to the servants, who constitute a part 
 of your household. It is true, you may only have bar- 
 gained for their labour, and promised a temporal support, 
 but they belong to your domestic society, and have souls, 
 which must be miserable or happy in the world to come. 
 When you hire beasts, you bargain for their labour, and 
 provide for their bodily sustenance ; is there then no dif- 
 ference between them and your servants? The pious 
 Job asked with great significancy, " If I did despise the 
 cause of my man-servant or of my maid-servant, what 
 shall I do when God riseth up ? And when he visiteth, 
 what shall I answer him," Job xxxi. 13, 14. 
 
 The believing Centurion also manifested great concern 
 for his servant. He is represented as beseeching Christ, 
 with great earnestness, to heal his servant, which he did, 
 Matt. viii. 6, 7. 
 
 SECTION III. 
 
 But in addition to preceptive instruction, there must be 
 superadded the force of corresponding example. The one 
 will effect but little without the other. We are imitative 
 creatures, and learn our earliest lessons, and receive our 
 most enduring impressions through the eyes and not 
 through the ears. It is remarkable how soon children 
 begin to notice attentively the conduct of others. We are 
 naturally more disposed to follow example than to be in- 
 fluenced by precept. Parents, therefore, would do well 
 to remember that their children have eyes as well as ears, 
 
28 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 and to act accordingly. Bad example will obliterate every 
 impression which may have been made by -wholesome 
 precept. Let not parents, therefore, tear down with one 
 hand as fast as they build up with the other. Let exam- 
 ple be to precept, what experiments are, in natural science, 
 to theory. The one should demonstrate and confirm the 
 other. In vain may you attempt to inculcate upon a 
 child the importance of a duty, while he is permitted to 
 witness your habitual neglect of it. He will do as you 
 do, and not as you say. If you neglect the public wor- 
 ship of God, or behave unseemly in the sanctuary ; if you 
 violate the Sabbath day, by labour, amusement or recre- 
 ation ; if you take the name of the Most High in vain, 
 or exhibit a proud, passionate, and overbearing temper, 
 you may reasonably expect your children and servants 
 to do the same, when an opportunity occurs of doing it 
 with impunity. It were idle to expect a different result. 
 But the precept of some parents is as bad as their ex- 
 ample in this respect. They will not only encourage, 
 but even urge the attendance of their children, at the 
 scenes of public amusement and dissipation ; places where 
 female delicacy is wounded, where innocence must blush, 
 and virtue hide her head in shame. Yes, parents will 
 permit men and women to say to their children from the 
 stage, and in a public assembly, what it would be the 
 grossest insult to whisper in their ear, at the family fire- 
 side. And yet, these same parents decline urging the at- 
 tendance of their children at the sanctuary. They will 
 lead them into a circle, where, amid the attractions 
 adapted to a carnal heart, the flame of human pride is 
 fed and cherished ; where native vanity is flattered, often 
 by brainless conversation and heartless attention ; where 
 their already too high opinion of self is more and more 
 exalted, and the restraints of modest, retiring virtue more 
 and more weakened. Thus they are thrown by their 
 
FAMILY RELIGION. 29 
 
 own parents, into the midst of a thousand temptations and 
 snares, and estranged from God and holiness. 
 
 You may, indeed, diligently provide for their temporal 
 necessities, but you leave the soul, the deathless, enduring 
 part of your children, to starve and perish. You may 
 carefully clothe their bodies which must soon be laid in 
 the grave and become the food of worms, but you leave 
 the soul to appear in all its nakedness before God in judg- 
 ment. You neglect to provide for it, the robe of the Sa- 
 viour's righteousness, and are satisfied that it should ap- 
 pear in the " filthy rags" of its own virtue and morality. 
 You provide food for the nourishment of their bodies, but 
 neglect to feed them with the hidden manna, with that 
 bread which came down from heaven, which w r as the 
 bread of life. You are solicitous to accomplish for them, 
 advantageous matrimonial connexions, but neglect to 
 marry them to the Lamb, the Bridegroom — Jesus Christ. 
 
 Now, " if any provide not for his own, and especially 
 for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and 
 is worse than an infidel," 1 Tim. v. 8. If this be true in 
 regard to temporal provision, what may we not say of 
 those who refuse to make the most important of all kinds 
 of provision, viz. for the souls of their children and ser- 
 vants 1 It is most shocking cruelty to suffer the souls, whom 
 you have instrumentally brought into the world, to perish 
 forever through your neglect. How can a parent's heart 
 endure the thought, that the helpless babe who smiles at his 
 chirps, and prattles on his knees, and beguiles his hours 
 of leisure, with its endearing playfulness, should, through 
 his neglect, endure the wrath of God through all eterni- 
 ty 1 Parents ! think of it. Look upon your babe, behold 
 its little fascinating ways, and say, will you train it up 
 for the world and for hell, or for God and heaven ? Will 
 you lead it into the vortex of fashion, folly and irreligion, 
 or, " bring it up in the nurture and admonition of the 
 
 3* 
 
30 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 Lord," renouncing in its behalf, the pomps and vanities 
 of the world, and solemnly dedicate it to the service of 
 Christ ? You must meet it at the bar of God. You may 
 meet it in the world of lost spirits. Will you venture 
 then to look upon it? Can you then bear its curses on 
 your head, and its upbraiding accusation of your unfaith- 
 fulness and cruelty ? Parents ! think of it. Your chil- 
 dren are committed to your care, by Him whose proper- 
 ty they are, and who charges you to train them up a holy 
 seed to serve him. He will require them, as such, at 
 your hands. Shall their blood be found in your skirts ? 
 
 " It is beyond a doubt, that remorse is one of the chief 
 punishments of the damned, and who can question whe- 
 ther the most excruciating remorse will be excited by this 
 thought ; I have plunged my children into this abyss, into 
 which I have plunged myself? 
 
 " Imagine a parent of a family, discovering among the 
 crowd of reprobates, a son, w T hom he himself led thither, 
 and who addresses to him this terrible language : ' Bar- 
 barous father, to what a desperate condition you have 
 reduced me ! See, wretch that you are, see the flames 
 which burn and consume me. Observe this thick smoke 
 which suffocates me. Behold the heavy chains with 
 which I am loaded. They are the fatal consequences of 
 the principles you gave me. Was it not enough to bring 
 me into the world a sinner ? Was it necessary to put me 
 in arms against Almighty God ? Was it not enough to 
 communicate to me natural depravity ? Must you add 
 to that, the venom of a pernicious education? Was it 
 not enough to expose me to the misfortunes inseparable 
 from life ? Must you plunge me into those which follow 
 death ? Return me, cruel parent, return me to nothing, 
 whence ye took me. Take from me the fatal existence 
 you gave me. Show me mountains and hills to fall on 
 me, and hide me from the anger of my Judge ; or if that 
 
FAMILY RELIGION. 31 
 
 divine vengeance which pursues thee, will not enable thee 
 to do so, I myself will become thy tormentor ; I will 
 ever present myself, a frightful spectacle, before thine 
 eyes, and by those eternal howlings, which I will inces- 
 santly pour into thine ears, I will reproach thee ; through 
 all eternity I will reproach thee with my misery and de- 
 spair.' "* 
 
 SECTION IV. 
 
 As the helplessness of a child, unable to defend itself 
 from surrounding danger, makes a strong and effectual 
 appeal to its parents for protection, so should its native 
 ignorance, especially of the most important truths, and of 
 those, a knowledge of which is essential to its well-being, 
 both here and hereafter, make a still more powerful and 
 affecting appeal, for instruction and careful training. 
 The heathen early and faithfully train up their children to 
 the precepts and practices of idolatry. And this is not 
 only a dictate of that natural affection, which even hea- 
 thenism has not totally quenched in the parental bosom, 
 but it is, moreover, a principle of natural religion, which 
 is incorporated even with the grossest system of super- 
 stition and error, that claims to be a religion. 
 
 You recognise your obligation to afford your children 
 an academical education, or at least a knowledge of 
 their own language, and of such other branches of com- 
 mon literature, as may qualify them for the vocation in 
 life, which you design them to follow. But do you feel 
 no obligation to instil into their minds and hearts the 
 principles of heavenly wisdom? None, to educate them 
 in the science cf salvation ? None, to impart to them a 
 knowledge of God, which is eternal life, and of his word, 
 which is able to make them truly wise, even " wise unto 
 salvation," and to fit them for entering with advantage 
 
 * Saurin, Vol. 2. p. 25. 
 
32 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 and happiness, upon that ever enduring state of exist- 
 ence, on the verge of which they now stand 1 
 
 You feel bound to train up your children in patriotic 
 attachment to their country and its laws ; w T ith reverence 
 for its authority, and jealousy for its honour. But do you 
 not feel bound to train them up in loyal fidelity to the 
 King of kings, and the God of nations, through whose 
 merciful interference in our behalf, we are, as a nation, 
 what we are? None, to educate them in holy allegiance 
 to the Lord of lords, and source of all authority ? None, 
 to instil into them a becoming reverence for His law, and 
 an unquenchable zeal for His honour and glory 1 
 
 You feel bound, in all your plans, arrangements, and 
 efforts, to consult the temporal interests of your children, 
 and can this be more effectually promoted, than by the 
 knowledge and favour of God 1 But are you indifferent 
 to their everlasting welfare in the world to come ? You 
 cannot procure for them a more efficient, faithful, and en- 
 during friend than Christ, w r ho is emphatically the friend 
 of sinners. He sticketh closer than a brother, and will 
 never leave nor forsake them. Unlike the friendship oi 
 the world, which 
 
 is but a name, 
 
 A charm that lulls to sleep, 
 A shade that follows wealth and fame, 
 And leaves the wretch to weep, 
 
 his is .as unchanging as his nature, " I am the Lord — 1 
 change not." He is a friend to help in time of need ; 
 when others either forsake us, or can afford us no aid. 
 Should you leave your children orphans, He is the or- 
 phan's God ; — the father of the fatherless. For when fa- 
 ther and mother forsake them, He will take them up. 
 
 You can not lay up for your children, a more enduring 
 or more satisfying treasure, than that which is laid up in 
 heaven, which neither moth nor rust can corrupt, and 
 
FAMILY RELIGION. 33 
 
 where thieves do not break through nor steal. Earthly 
 riches take to themselves wings and fly away ; and while 
 they last, they are both unsatisfying and corrupting, with- 
 out the grace of God accompanying them. Train up 
 your children to be rich in faith, and heirs of that inherit- 
 ance which is undefiled and that fadeth not away, and 
 you will have secured for them that " which is profitable 
 unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and 
 of that which is to come," 1 Tim. iv. 8. You feel bound 
 to procure suitable remedies, and the skill of a physician, 
 to counteract and heal the bodily maladies of your chil- 
 dren ; but are you not under higher obligations to provide 
 for the cure of that deadly disease w T ith which the souls 
 of your children are by nature infected ? Depravity is 
 frequently, in Scripture, represented under the figure of a 
 disease. " The whole head is sick, and the whole heart 
 is faint. From the sole of the foot, even unto the head, 
 there is no soundness in it, but wounds and bruises and 
 putrefying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound 
 up, neither mollified with ointment," Isa. i. 5, 6. True 
 religion is the balm of Gilead, and Christ is the great phy- 
 sician. Will you, then, permit this disease to continue its 
 ravages upon the souls of your children, and terminate in 
 the second death, without instructing them as to the only 
 remedy, and urging them to apply to the only Physician? 
 How grossly inconsistent is the solicitude of parents for 
 their children, who, at the same time, neglect their souls, 
 which are of infinitely more importance, than any tem- 
 poral concern can possibly be ! 
 
 There is one circumstance which may be mentioned 
 here, both as an encouragement to parents in the work 
 of training up their children for God, and as an aggrava- 
 tion of their sin in His sight, if they neglect to bring them 
 up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. I allude 
 to the Sabbath School Institution. This Institution by 
 
34 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 no means supersedes parental instruction at home. This 
 would be an abuse of the Institution. This duty can 
 never be superseded, nor transferred to other hands. But 
 it promises assistance and proposes co-operation. It an- 
 swers every objection, and sets aside every excuse, which 
 the parent might be disposed to offer, for the neglect of 
 this duty, on the score of a want of time or ability. 
 And at the same time affords, to the faithful parent, suit- 
 able and desirable aid in the discharge of his duty. 
 Much of that training which the Scriptures require of 
 every parent, can not be effected by the Sabbath School 
 System, but must be performed in the domestic circle, 
 and by parental instruction and influence. 
 
 Indeed, this Institution seems to require of parents, 
 double diligence and faithfulness, if they would maintain 
 their influence in the family, and a reverence in the minds 
 of their children, for the parental authority and charac- 
 ter. For, in the Sabbath School, the child is made ac- 
 quainted with the duties of parents to their children, as 
 well as those of children to their parents. They as rea- 
 sonably (and more so) expect you to discharge your du- 
 ties, as you expect them to discharge theirs. They are 
 not insensible to your neglect of duty, seeing they are 
 not ignorant of what is required of you. Your influ- 
 ence over them, and their reverence for you, will gene- 
 rally be in proportion to your fidelity to them. Your 
 neglect of duty, will naturally encourage them in the 
 neglect of theirs. They will plead your example, and 
 either follow it, or reprove you for setting it. Hence, we 
 sometimes hear of children administering to their parents, 
 the simplest, and, therefore, the severest reproofs. A 
 child, whose parents neglected the duty of family wor- 
 ship, having learned in the Sabbath School, its obliga- 
 tion and importance, once asked his father why he did 
 not pray in his family, as neighbour T did in his. 
 
FAMILY RELIGION. 35 
 
 The father was silent. The reproof was keen, and effec- 
 tual. He neglected it no longer. Such a reproof! from 
 such a source ! on such a subject 1 Parents who neglect 
 their children, can maintain their influence, and the vene- 
 ration and confidence of their children, only by keeping 
 them in ignorance, or by banishing from their minds 
 every serious impression. What an alternative ! 
 
 Every parent should hail the Sabbath School Institu- 
 tion, as a blessing to his children and to his children's 
 children. He should sustain and countenance it as their 
 nursery and asylum. There they are taught their duty 
 to themselves, to one another, to their parents, to their 
 country, and to their God. There they are fitted to be- 
 come better children, better parents, better husbands, 
 better wives, and better citizens, than the generations 
 which have preceded them. For the use or abuse of this 
 talent, this means of good to his children, and of this 
 proffered assistance and encouragement in the discharge 
 of his duties to his family, every parent, within whose 
 reach it is placed, must give an account to his Maker 
 and Judge. 
 
 SECTION V. 
 
 It may be proper in this place to notice briefly, the 
 peculiar duties, advantages, and consequent responsibili- 
 ties of mothers, in regard to the education of their chil- 
 dren. 
 
 To its mother's care and instruction, the first years of 
 a child, are almost exclusively committed. She makes 
 upon its infant mind, the first impressions, whether good 
 or bad. She, in a great measure, forms its future cha- 
 racter, and, humanly speaking, determines its destiny. 
 She observes the budding of its mind, and discovers the 
 earliest developements of its character and disposition, 
 and may mould them as she pleases. Hence, the mother 
 
36 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 becomes the first object of its knowledge, its affections, 
 and its confidence. Her influence is first felt, and her 
 authority first recognised. What a trust is then com- 
 mitted to mothers ! 
 
 The strong maternal affection peculiarly fits her for 
 the right discharge of her duties. And in this is shown 
 the wisdom of Him who planted that affection in her 
 bosom, and who requires those duties at her hands. The 
 maternal affection is used in Scripture as a faint emblem 
 of Christ's love to his Church. " Can a woman forget 
 her sucking child, that she should not have compassion 
 on the son of her womb ! Yea, they may forget, yet 
 will I not forget thee." Isa. xlix. 15. This love excites 
 her to the exercise of that patience which is so much 
 required, and so indispensable, in the careful training of 
 her child. She knows no weariness in ministering to its 
 necessities, and in guarding its helplessness. She bears 
 without a murmur, its disquietudes and complaints, and 
 surmounts every obstacle, and readily endures the priva- 
 tion of personal comfort, care and rest, that she may 
 supply its wants, and gratify its desires. What will she 
 not do, and what will she not suffer, for the peace and 
 safety of her little one ! Without this natural affection, 
 patience would soon be exhausted, and the flesh soon 
 become weary, and the passions be vented by cruelty 
 or abandonment. Under the influence of religion, this 
 affection is sanctified, regulated, and properly directed. 
 If such be the advantages of a mother, how great must 
 be her responsibilities ! Who doubts a mother's influ- 
 ence in the formation of the character of her children ? 
 Who doubts the peculiar opportunities she has for ma- 
 king good impressions, and forming a proper character? 
 Who doubts the obligation upon her, to embrace these 
 opportunities, and rightly to use them, in raising up a 
 holy seed to serve the Lord ? Examples might be men- 
 
FAMILY RELIGION. 37 
 
 tioned of some of the most distinguished benefactors of 
 mankind, who owe, and have traced, to their mother's 
 instruction and example, all that has made them both an 
 honour and a blessing to the race. Examples might also 
 be adduced, which would reverse the picture, but esta- 
 blish the same principle, and show that opposite effects 
 may commonly be traced to opposite causes. This strong 
 parental influence is ordained of God, and forms a promi- 
 nent part of that great instrumentality which he has 
 established in the organization of the family constitution. 
 This influence will, and must, therefore, be felt. It can 
 not be avoided. 
 
 Mothers derive great advantage from united counsel 
 and prayer, in the prosecution of their appropriate work 
 of love. This they need, and many have diligently 
 sought. Hence have arisen maternal associations, whose 
 influence on society, and on the system of domestic edu- 
 cation, may become immense ; and its beneficial results 
 incalculable. If wisely and faithfully conducted, their 
 importance will be great indeed, and their advantages to 
 parents invaluable. The object of these associations, is 
 to call forth and direct, with wisdom and efficiency, ma- 
 ternal zeal and love, in the education of children. In 
 these associations, mothers meet to converse and pray 
 with reference to this object. Here they encourage and 
 sympathize with each other, amid the trials and difficul- 
 ties with which they meet in the discharge of parental 
 duty. Here they give mutual advice, and relate each 
 other's experience in the training of their children, that 
 all may derive from them a common advantage. Here 
 they excite one another to greater diligence, and more 
 devoted zeal in the cause. Here they enlist each other's 
 sympathies and prayers, in behalf of themselves and their 
 children. Here they learn to appreciate their advan- 
 tages and responsibilities, and to act in the view of them. 
 
 4 
 
38 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 This tends to keep alive in their bosoms, an habitual sense 
 of the peculiar and solemn duties that devolve upon 
 them, and it chides the neglect and indifference with 
 which any may be chargeable. Here, as mothers, they 
 meet to plead the promise. " that if two of you shall 
 agree on earth, as touching any thing that they shall ask, 
 it shall be done for them of my Father which is in hea- 
 ven. For where two or three are gathered together in 
 my name, there am I in the midst of them," Matt, xviii. 
 19, 20. And as the object of their united prayers is a 
 special one, and one that lies near their hearts, it calls 
 forth sincere and fervent supplications, which are preva- 
 lent with the prayer-hearing God, through the merits and 
 intercession of his Son Jesus Christ. None can doubt, 
 that such exercises, wisely conducted, greatly contribute 
 to the growth in grace of those who engage in them ; 
 greatly increase the qualifications of mothers for the 
 work to which they are called; and greatly tend to che- 
 rish the spirit of prayer for themselves and their children. 
 Doubtless such an association is a blessing to any church 
 in which it may be organized ; for it co-operates with the 
 Sabbath School, and with the pastor, in their efforts to 
 bring the rising generation under the saving influence of 
 the Gospel. It becomes itself the nursery of practical 
 godliness, where the spirit of devout prayer may still 
 linger, while all the church beside is cold and listless. 
 
 I can not forbear inserting in this place, as coincident 
 with that already expressed, the opinion of one, whose 
 name gives it ample weight, apart from its intrinsic merit, 
 with all who know his character and worth. Dr. Alex- 
 ander, of Princeton, in his sermon before the " Alumni 
 Association of the Theological Seminary at Princeton," 
 holds the following language : 
 
 " If parents could be induced to co-operate more 
 zealously in this work : if mothers, especially, would be 
 
FAMILY RELIGION. 39 
 
 persuaded to be more earnest and assiduous in instilling 
 divine truth into the infant mind, who can tell what a 
 reformation might be wrought in one age ? And I can 
 not but hope, that maternal affection, which is one of the 
 strongest, as well as tenderest feelings implanted in the 
 human constitution, begins already to be directed into its 
 appropriate channel. The existence and success of 'Ma- 
 ternal Associations,' intended for the mutual assistance of 
 pious mothers, encourages me to believe, that this power- 
 ful and inextinguishable yearning of the maternal heart, 
 the nature and force of which, mothers only can appre- 
 ciate, is about to be sanctified to the great object of pro- 
 moting early piety, and sowing the seed, which may 
 ripen into religion in mature age, when this effect fails in 
 earlier life. If I were called on to declare what means of 
 conversion, beside public preaching, had been most bless- 
 ed of God, I should unhesitatingly answer, maternal 
 
 INSTRUCTION." pp. 18, 19. 
 
 SECTION VI. 
 
 The obligations which rest upon parents to * bring up 
 their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord," 
 are numerous and weighty. Besides those already men- 
 tioned in a general way, we may specify, 
 
 1. The baptismal vows which they have assumed in 
 behalf of their children. And lest any should pass over 
 this section, by saying, " I have never presented my chil- 
 dren in baptism, and have therefore never assumed the 
 vows mentioned," let me say that if this be so, you are 
 doubly guilty in the sight of God. It is as much your 
 duty to dedicate your children to God in his appointed 
 ordinance, as it is to dedicate yourself to him in that of 
 the Lord's Supper. Unfitness for either, while it should 
 exclude you from the privilege, nevertheless does not 
 relieve you from the duty. It is your duty to be pre- 
 
40 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 pared for both, and the longer that preparation is delay- 
 ed, the greater is the sinfulness of your neglect. To 
 plead unfitness as an excuse for neglecting duty, is to 
 plead one sin as an excuse for another ; for it is your sin- 
 fulness and unbelief that render you unfit for either ordi- 
 nance. Let none, then, console themselves with the false 
 impression, that they are relieved from baptismal duties, 
 because they have neglected to assume baptismal vows. 
 If, therefore, the following remarks should exhibit the 
 obligations of those who have assumed such vows, the} 
 at the same time exhibit the obligation and guilt of those 
 who have neglected to assume them. 
 
 The presentation of children for baptism, does not, 
 strictly speaking, create new obligations, but is a formal 
 and solemn acknowledgment of those already binding. 
 A witness, strictly speaking, is as much bound, in the 
 sight of God, to tell the truth, and nothing but the truth, 
 before he takes the oath, as afterwards. 
 
 It is to be feared, that parents too often assume the 
 baptismal vows with too little consideration. Some pre- 
 sent their children for the ordinance, under the influence 
 of example or custom, or for fashion sake ; some, doubt- 
 less, through the mistaken and superstitious notion of its 
 inherent efficacy. All such motives are improper, and 
 dishonour God, and his ordinance. They tend to banish 
 from the mind, that becoming reverence and awe, with 
 which God should be approached in every act of worship. 
 It brings down the ordinance to the level of an unmean- 
 ing ceremony, and abstracts from it the idea of a solemn 
 transaction with God. ■ Hence, many who shrink from 
 an approach to the Lord's table, yet, without hesitation 
 or much reflection, offer their children for baptism. They 
 are both holy sacraments, and the one is as sacred as the 
 other. Parents, moreover, sometimes take upon them 
 these vows, while they are conscious of an unwillingness 
 
FAMILY RELIGION. 41 
 
 to pay them, and indeed, with no purpose whatever to 
 attempt it. This is lying to the Holy Ghost, and nothing 
 less than awful perjury before high Heaven ! I speak 
 plainly on this subject, because it is too momentous to be 
 Otherwise disposed of. While, therefore, parents are 
 bound to present their children for baptism, they are also 
 required not to trifle with the ordinance, nor contract the 
 guilt of perjury or broken vows. If they neglect the 
 ordinance, they sin ; and if they approach it improperly, 
 they sin. Do you, then, ask what you are to do in such 
 a case ? I answer, repent, believe in Christ, and seek 
 and obtain a right heart in the sight of God, and that 
 without delay. This is only one of the many difficul- 
 ties that belong to a state of impenitency and unbelief. 
 
 In presenting your children to this ordinance, you re- 
 cognise their depravity and condemnation, as flowing 
 from the first transgression of Adam ; otherwise, the 
 ordinance is without meaning, and your approach to it, 
 is a mockery of God. You thereby acknowledge the 
 necessity of your child being washed with the Spirit and 
 blood of Christ. For it is that outward sign, which sig- 
 nifies the washing of the heart, with that cleansing influ- 
 ence, which the water in baptism symbolizes. 
 
 In this ordinance, you also give your child away, with- 
 out reservation, to be used and disposed of by God, as 
 seemeth to Him best When thus solemnly dedicated to 
 God, in acknowledgment of His undisputed right to it, 
 He commits it to your care, as Moses was committed to 
 the care of his mother, that he may be trained up for the 
 service and glory of Him, to whom he belongs of right, 
 and by your own act of dedication. You henceforth act 
 as the steward of God, under voluntary vows of fidelity 
 in the discharge of your duties, both to Him and to your 
 child. For this stewardship you must render an account. 
 Here, then, is one source of obligation which you are not 
 
 4 * 
 
42 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 at liberty to disregard* A lively sense of this obligation, 
 will lead you to seek daily supplies of grace and strength, 
 to meet your responsibilities, and to supplicate the bless- 
 ing of God upon your endeavours to discharge them. 
 Thus, you will be constantly urged to a Throne of Grace 
 in behalf of yourself and children. There too, you will 
 bring them, and bow their infant knees before God, and 
 teach their infant tongues to call him " Father," and to 
 lisp his praise. 
 
 Should you neglect, however, thus to train them; 
 should you bring them up in prayerlessness and irreligion, 
 how poignant will be your reflections on a death bed, 
 that you are about to meet your Judge, to answer for the 
 guilt of violated vows ! How keen the anguish that will 
 wring your soul, when you are about to cast your little 
 ones upon a cold, unfeeling, and contaminating world, 
 without the shield of a religious education, and without 
 the support and guide of religious principles. That you 
 have neglected to bestow, these you have neglected to 
 instil. But you must leave them. You cannot retrace 
 your steps. You cannot stay even to begin the work. 
 And should you meet them in perdition, how insufferable 
 their upbraiding ! how overwhelming your remorse ! 
 
 2. Parents owe it to themselves to train up their chil- 
 dren in the way in which they should go. Their own 
 peace and happiness, in this world, will depend very 
 much on the character and conduct of their children, 
 unless they are totally destitute of all natural affection. 
 And even then, their own children, through parental 
 neglect* may become their tormentors. For parents are 
 sometimes punished in the lives of their children, who 
 become rods to their backs. How much distress, and 
 trouble, and affliction, are sometimes brought into a fami- 
 ly by children, whose religious education has been neg- 
 lected ! How often have such brought down the gray 
 
FAMILY RELIGION. 43 
 
 hairs of their broken-hearted parents, in sorrow, in shame, 
 and in disgrace, to the grave ! And even if they survive, 
 it is to witness the sad and melancholy spectacle of their 
 children, hurried, through the want of early and proper 
 training, by unbridled lusts and unchecked licentiousness, 
 or by the hand of the duellist or assassin, or by the due 
 execution of the laws of the land, to an early and dis- 
 honoured grave. This is the source of a thousand evils 
 with which guilty parents and their families may be af- 
 flicted and overwhelmed. 
 
 On the other hand, how much joy and peace, and com- 
 fort, does a parent's heart experience, when he beholds his 
 children walking in the ways of righteousness, devoting 
 themselves to the service of God, and to the good of 
 their fellow-creatures ! And how unspeakably delightful 
 is the reflection, that such are the results of his labours, 
 his instructions, and his prayers, in training them in early 
 life to the love and service of the Most High ! And when 
 called to part with them at death, with hope, and faith, 
 and settled confidence, may you leave them in the hands 
 of Him, in whose nurture and admonition you have 
 brought them up ! 
 
 3. You owe it to your children, thus to bring them up. 
 You have been the means of bringing them into this world 
 of sin and misery, where they are exposed to innumera- 
 ble evils here, and endless misery hereafter. You have 
 transmitted to them that depraved and sinful nature, 
 which, through successive generations, you derived from 
 our common father Adam. They come into the world 
 under a broken covenant, alienated from the life of God, 
 and with carnal minds at enmity against Him. They 
 *-iave immortal souls that must be happy or miserable for 
 ever; and the momentous issue instrumentally depends, 
 under God, very much on the manner in which vou brino- 
 them up. You launch them in a fragile bark, upon life's 
 
44 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 troubled sea, amid the threatening storms by which it is 
 agitated, and surrounded by the rocks and shoals on 
 which thousands and thousands are fatally and for ever 
 wrecked. Is it not your duty to provide them with every 
 means of safety 1 Is it not your duty to afford them that 
 instruction, to instil into them those principles, and to 
 point them to that example, to that Guide and Saviour, 
 by means of which they may arrive in safety to that 
 " haven where they would be" ? You are their natural 
 instructor, governor, and protector. To you they look, 
 on you they depend, for all that is within your power and 
 duty to afford them, in order to accomplish the end of 
 their existence. They have a claim upon you which can 
 not be disputed, nor with safety and impunity disregard- 
 ed. It is a sacred claim, sanctioned and enforced by the 
 relation you sustain to them, and by the authority of Him 
 who requires its liquidation at your hands. 
 
 SECTION VII. 
 
 4. This is a duty which, as parents, you owe to the 
 community of which you and your children form a part, 
 and to the world in which we live. Your children are 
 to be either blessings or curses to society, according as 
 their principles, education, and habits are good or bad. 
 Should they become, through neglect of proper care and 
 attention to their education, profligates, and the corrupters 
 of others, you will have entailed an evil on the commu- 
 nity in which they live, which cannot be estimated in this 
 life, and which will countervail all the benefit that you 
 may have conferred on the race by your own life. If 
 " one sinner destroyeth much good," who can conceive 
 the amount of injury that may result to the human family, 
 by your neglect of duty to your children, who in turn 
 will, according to your example, and the principles they 
 have imbibed, be guilty of a similar neglect to theirs? 
 
FAMILY RELIGION. 45 
 
 Thus may their successive generations prove a continued 
 scourge to the land in which they dwell. Such charac- 
 ters are a two-fold curse. They do evil and prevent 
 good. And they may in the end, become a burden to 
 society, and dependent on its support. The well-being 
 of every community must depend, instrumentally, upon 
 the proper education and training of those who, from 
 time to time, compose it. This is a subject of vast 
 moment to our own country. The magnitude of its 
 importance, and its direct bearing on the destiny of this 
 nation, are more and' more manifest as we contemplate 
 it. Such is the character of our system of government, 
 and such is the nature of our free institutions, that unless 
 a wholesome moral principle, founded on eternal truth 
 and righteousness, pervade and actuate the people, we 
 may not hope for their efficient administration, nor for a 
 fair and just experiment of the doctrMe of self-govern- 
 ment. It is the glory of a republic that it cannot flour- 
 ish, nor permanently exist, where the people are corrupt, 
 ignorant, and debased. Knowledge and christian virtue 
 form the basis of a free government. And if these be 
 wanting, the superstructure will be a " baseless fabric.'* 
 He then is a true patriot, an efficient benefactor of his 
 country, who so brings up his offspring, as to be wise 
 enough to understand, and virtuous enough to seek, her 
 true interest and honour. 
 
 Should the people, generally, become corrupt, the laws 
 which they enact, and the measures which they adopt, will 
 wear the impress of their own unseemly image. The 
 executive arm will become palsied, or nerved by reaction 
 to relentless tyranny. Our free institutions will crumble 
 to dust, and on their ruins will be erected an absolute 
 despotism. Say not that these apprehensions are vision- 
 ary. Look at the history and fate of other republics, and 
 learn a lesson of timely wisdom. We live not for our- 
 
46 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 selves only, but to transmit unimpaired to posterity, the 
 just principles of government we have adopted, and the 
 blessings which flow from them. We live for other 
 nations, and for their descendants ; for if the experiment 
 now making in this land, should prove abortive, their 
 hopes will be blighted, and the fears of despots will be 
 quieted, and their principles receive plausibility from the 
 failure of ours. 
 
 Let us not rely too confidently upon the wisdom of our 
 laws, and the efficiency with which they may now be 
 executed. For while these are necessary and important, 
 yet if we neglect to cherish in the people, whose benefit 
 they contemplate, that spirit, and those principles which 
 enacted them, they will become a dead letter, and their 
 enforcement will dwindle into oppression, or criminal 
 favouritism. 
 
 It is a shame and a reproach % any community, where 
 great care is taken to punish wickedness, and little or 
 none to prevent it. 
 
 I am fully persuaded that it is the influence of chris- 
 tian principle alone, that can save us. " Happy is that 
 people whose God is the Lord." For "righteousness 
 exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people." 
 " The wicked shall be turned into hell, with all the nations 
 that forget God." By the smiles of a merciful God, we 
 succeeded in our struggle for independence. And " by 
 the grace of God we are," as a nation, " what we are." 
 To forget or disown our dependence on the same mercy 
 and power, is ingratitude and rebellion. The sinfulness 
 of this nation, and its abounding licentiousness of princi- 
 ple and practice, call for national judgments, and may 
 provoke the Most High to bring us to nought. The colo- 
 nists were successful in their efforts, because God was 
 honoured by an acknowledgment of their dependence on 
 him, and by devout supplications for his smiles. 
 
FAMILY RELIGIQN. 47 
 
 The pious of every denomination, rushed to the mercy- 
 seat, as well as to the arms of defence, in the mighty 
 contest And though it were but an infant struggling in 
 his cradle, yet by the divine blessing, it proved to be an 
 infant Hercules. 
 
 There was a goodly number in public life at that time, 
 who were no strangers to the throne of grace, but who 
 habitually sought divine wisdom and guidance. They 
 acted with an energy and diligence, that seemed to 
 import that all depended on human agency, and at the 
 same time, prayed and wrestled at the mercy seat, as if 
 all depended upon the interference of divine omnipotence 
 and mercy. Washington, the honoured instrument of 
 our success, in the hand of God, was accustomed to 
 invoke the blessing of Jehovah upon his plans and labours. 
 In the declaration of our Independence, and in the Con- 
 stitution of our nation, there are also becoming acknow- 
 ledgments of dependence and indebtedness to the same 
 source Such were the views, and such were the feelings 
 and principles of the men, who bore the most conspicu- 
 ous part, in the memorable transactions of that eventful 
 period. And if such principles be abandoned, or if they 
 be not industriously instilled into the minds and hearts of 
 our children, it were folly and presumption, to hope for a 
 continuance of the divine favour on our country. 
 
 In confirmation of the views and convictions just 
 expressed, I call the reader's attention to the following 
 language of Washington, in his farewell address. " Of 
 all the dispositions and habits which lead to political pros- 
 perity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. 
 In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, 
 who should labour to subvert these great pillars of human 
 happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and 
 citizens. The mere politician, equally with the pious 
 man, ought to respect and to cherish them. A volume 
 
48 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 could not trace all their connexions with private and pub- 
 lic felicity. Let it be simply asked, where is the security 
 for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of reli- 
 gious obligation desert the oaths, which are the instru- 
 ments of investigation in courts of justice? And let us 
 with caution indulge the supposition, that morality can 
 be maintained without religion. Whatever may be con- 
 ceded to the influence of refined education on minds of 
 peculiar structure ; reason and experience both forbid us 
 to expect, that national morality can prevail in exclusion 
 of religious principle. 
 
 "It is substantially true, that virtue or morality is a 
 necessary spring of popular government. The rule indeed 
 extends with more or less force to every species of free 
 government. Who that is a sincere friend to it, can look 
 with indifference upon attempts to shake the foundation 
 of the fabric ?" 
 
 Such are the views of the man who has been styled 
 " the father of his country." The allusion, in the above 
 extract, to the religious obligation of oaths, deserves spe- 
 cial attention. A deep sense of this obligation should be 
 sedulously cherished in the minds of children, that it may 
 be controlling and abiding. This can only be effected 
 by a careful religious education. Without such precau- 
 tionary measures on the part of parents, their children 
 will grow up without fixed and definite views of religion, 
 and liable to be turned about like a weathercock, by 
 every wind of dectrine. 
 
 Should they espouse the principles of infidelity, which 
 is nothing more than a bigoted credulity ; or should they 
 adopt such erroneous views of Christianity, as amount 
 to little or nothing more than modified and baptized 
 deism, they will regard oaths as a mere legal formality, 
 and be uninfluenced by their solemnity and obligation. 
 And there can be no doubt, that the careless and irrever- 
 
FAMILY RELIGION. 49 
 
 ent manner in which they are sometimes administered, 
 tends greatly to produce this effect upon the minds of those 
 who are sworn. An oath is an act of religious worship. 
 And as to those w 7 ho deny the being or essential attributes 
 of God, who question the existence, nature, or scriptural 
 character of sin, or who disbelieve in a future retribution 
 of punishment, it is nothing less than mockery and blas- 
 phemy. But it is a question for the legislative power to 
 determine, how far the oaths of such should be regarded, 
 and how far their testimony is admissible, in courts of 
 justice. 
 
 For my own part, I should have but little hope of jus- 
 tice, if arraigned at the bar, and the verdict of the jury 
 were to be determined by the testimony of such charac- 
 ters, so far as the influence of oaths is concerned ; espe- 
 cially if they could secure some sinister end, or gratify a 
 revengeful spirit, by misrepresentation or concealment. 
 It is manifest, therefore, that you ow r e it to your country 
 and to your fellow-creatures, to " bring up your children 
 in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 SECTION I. 
 
 We come now to consider the remaining office devoid 
 ing on the head of a family. In addition to that of go- 
 vernor and instructor, he is required to act the part of a 
 •priest to his family. I, of course, use the w T ord " priest" 
 figuratively, inasmuch as there arenowno sacrifices, in the 
 proper sense of the term, to be offered up. The typical 
 sacrifices have all been superseded by the one great of- 
 fering to which they pointed ; and as it was a perfect of- 
 fering, there is no necessity for another. " For the law 
 having a shadow of good things to come — can never 
 
 5 
 
50 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 with those sacrifices which they offered year by year 
 continually, make the comers thereunto perfect. For 
 then would they not have ceased to be offered? because 
 that the worshippers once purged should have had no 
 more conscience of sins." Therefore, "every priest 
 standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the 
 same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: but 
 this man, (Christ,) after he had offered one sacrifice for 
 sins, for ever sat down on the right hand of God." " For 
 by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are 
 sanctified." "Now where remission of these (sins and 
 iniquities) is, there is no more offering for sin," Heb. x. 1, 
 2, 11, 12, 14, 18. And if there be no more offering, there 
 are no more priests. The doctrines of transubstantiation 
 and a bloodless sacrifice, have continued the appellation 
 of priests, to a class of men who claim to be the ministers 
 of Christ. What I mean, therefore, is, that the head of a 
 family is required to lead in the social devotions of his 
 household, at stated and regular times. This domestic 
 worship should usually embrace reading the Scriptures, 
 singing, and prayer. And in the same character, he is 
 required to implore, at his table, the blessing of God upon 
 the bounties of his providence, accompanied with devout 
 thanksgiving for the same. 
 
 Man is bound to worship God in every relation of life 
 in which he may be placed. As an individual, it is his 
 duty to observe secret prayer: as a member of society, 
 he should unite in the public worship of God in his sanc- 
 tuary : and as the head of a family, he is required to lead 
 its devotions. As a reasonable creature, he should fre- 
 quent his closet, to engage in the private duties of reli- 
 gion ; as a social being, he should engage with others in 
 acts of worship. All things were made far God, as well 
 as by Him. And all his works, in all places of his domi- 
 nion, are called upon to praise him. Man, as an indivi- 
 
FAMILY RELIGION. 51 
 
 dual, was made for God, and should worship Him. Fa- 
 milies were established for God, as we have before no- 
 ticed, and as such they are called upon to worship Him. 
 Public society, and the powers that be, are ordained of 
 God and for Him, and as such, should worship Him. 
 
 It is, however, to the duty of family worship, that the 
 reader's attention is now asked. 
 
 This duty may be shown from the light of reason, and 
 from the fitness of things. 
 
 There is in every family, an interest common to all 
 that compose it. The joy and the sorrow of one, is the 
 joy and sorrow of all. Whatever affects one member, 
 more or less affects the whole household. This is par- 
 ticularly manifest in the blessings and curses that fall 
 upon them. And especially does this tie bind the interest 
 of all, to that of the head of the family. If he be prosper- 
 ed, all are prospered, and partake of the benefit. If he 
 be unfortunate, or injured, all share in the adversity and 
 experience a common reverse. A whole family is some- 
 times punished for the sins of one member. If one be 
 disgraced, all feel that they bear a part of the odium. If 
 one be honoured and promoted, all are thereby more or 
 less elevated. If the head of the family be a drunkard or 
 a spendthrift ; if he be a murderer or a thief, are the rest 
 of his family indifferent or unaffected? Scripture will 
 justify this representation of a common connexion, and 
 mutual interest in the family circle. " The Ark of the 
 Lord continued in the house of Obed-edom, the Gittite, 
 three months ; and the Lord blessed Obed-edom, and all 
 his household." 2 Sam. vi. 11. David was taking the 
 ark from Kirjath-Jearim, and after God had destroyed 
 Uzzah, for his unhallowed touch, " David carried it aside 
 into the house of Obed-edom, the Gittite." "And the Lord 
 blessed the house of Obed-edom, and all that pertaineth 
 unto him, because of the ark of God." vcr. 10. 12. Here the 
 
52 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 blessing was not confined to the head of the family, by 
 whose permission the ark was carried into his house, but 
 all the household partook of the blessing. " The Lord 
 blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake ; and the 
 blessing of the Lord was upon all that he had, in the 
 house, and in the field." Gen. xxxix. 5. Here the bless- 
 ing was not confined to Potiphar, the head of the family, 
 who was instrumental in bringing him under his roof, his 
 family at the time knowing nothing of the transaction 
 between him and the Ishmaelites, but extended to his 
 household. God declares, " I will bring evil on the house 
 of Jeroboam," 1 Kings, xiv. 10. "Because of the sins 
 of Jeroboam, who did sin, and who made Israel to sin." 
 ver. 16. He also declared, " For the whole house of 
 Ahab shall perish." 2 Kings, ix. 8. — And that because of 
 Ahab's sins. Here the curse falls on the family because 
 of the sins of the head of it. " The house of the righteous 
 shall stand." Pro v. xii. 7. " But the house of the wicked 
 shall be overthrown." Prov. xiv. 11. Look at the case 
 of Dathan and Abiram, " how the earth opened her mouth, 
 and swallowed them up, and their households." Deut. 
 xi. 6. Throughout the Scriptures we find repeated in- 
 stances of a whole family being blessed or cursed, on ac- 
 count of the good or bad conduct of the head, or some 
 other member of it. The promise is to believers and to 
 their seed. This at once establishes the common and 
 mutual interest of which we speak. 
 
 A whole family, moreover, is sometimes mentioned in 
 Scripture, as sinning in their social and connected capa- 
 city. " Lest there should be among you, man, or woman, 
 or family, or tribe, whose heart turneth away this day 
 from the Lord our God, to go and serve the gods of these 
 nations." Deut. xxix. 18. Here "a family" is mentioned 
 as distinguished from a man or woman in their individual 
 capacity. Speaking of a man who had made the Lord 
 
FAMILY RELIGION. 53 
 
 his habitation, the Psalmist says, " There shall no evil be- 
 fall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwell- 
 ing." Ps. xci. 10. " The curse of the Lord is in the house 
 of the wicked, but he blesseth the habitation of the just." 
 Prov. hi. 33. Speaking of a man who should commit 
 idolatry, God declares, " I will set my face against that 
 man, and against his family." Levit. xx. 5. If, then, the 
 members of a family be so intimately connected with its 
 head, and their condition so naturally determined by his, 
 and their fate so dependent on his, reason alone would 
 dictate that he should lead them to a throne of grace, and 
 in their behalf, supplicate the Divine favour, and render 
 thanks for the mercies they have enjoyed. # 
 
 Again, this duty naturally arises from the relation which 
 a family, as such, sustains to God. There are duties 
 which arise out of, and are determined by, the several re- 
 lations we sustain to God and to each other. These du- 
 ties are discoverable by the light of nature. Repentance 
 and thanksgiving are duties without a positive command 
 enjoining them. The duty of prayer, when permission 
 is given to ask, is suggested by a sense of dependence 
 on God. The mutual duties of parent and child, and of 
 the head and members of a family, belong to the same 
 class. It appears to be proper and reasonable, in itself 
 considered, when about to retire to rest, to return thanks 
 for the mercies of the day past, and to ask protection of 
 a watchful omnipotence, on whom we ever depend for 
 safety, that he would guard us in the defenceless hours 
 of sleep, from the dagger of the assassin, the depredations 
 of the thief and robber, the ravages of fire, and from every 
 other danger to which we are exposed. And in the morn- 
 ing, to acknowledge our indebtedness to God, for such 
 protection, and to supplicate the same for the day, and all 
 necessary provision for our wants, and grace to discharge 
 aright, our respective duties. So clearly manifest is this 
 
 5* 
 
54 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 duty, that even the heathen pay such worship to their 
 household gods. The rising and the setting sun, point 
 out the appropriate seasons for this duty, and so sensibly 
 is it felt at such times, that those without the knowledge 
 of the true God, have even worshipped the sun at his 
 rising and setting. As this is a natural division of time, 
 it appears from many considerations, that the morning 
 and evening are the most convenient and appropriate sea- 
 sons for family worship. The members of the family are 
 usually together at such times. At night our labour ends, 
 and in the morning our slumbers end. And there is little 
 danger of interruption then, either by business or visiters. 
 " It is a good thing," says the Psalmist, " to show forth 
 thy loving kindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness 
 every night." Ps. xcii. 2. 
 
 SECTION II. 
 
 The duty in question is fully settled by the authority 
 of Holy Writ. There is, indeed, no specific and formal 
 command on the subject. This we had no reason to ex- 
 pect, any more than a formal injunction, requiring men 
 to eat and sleep. The Scriptures do not stop to announce 
 every thing which is clearly taught by the light of nature, 
 but proceeds on the supposition of such things being al- 
 ready known. The being of a God is nowhere profess- 
 edly announced as a matter of information: hence the 
 Scriptures begin by declaring that God created the hea- 
 vens and the earth. The being of this Creator, is sup- 
 posed to be already known, having been so long and so 
 distinctly declared by the works of his hand. So, the 
 religious duties of families, are nowhere prescribed or 
 specifically enjoined, because easily discovered by the 
 light of nature, as is evident from the existence of house- 
 hold gods among the heathen. Now, this family idolatry 
 was not practised in the room and stead of irreligion or no 
 
FAMILY RELIGION. 55 
 
 religion, but of the true religion. While this idolatry is 
 sinful in the sight of God, its habitual practice certainly 
 discovers a sense of obligation, which should cause nomi- 
 nal Christians to blush, who neglect the duty we are con- 
 sidering. If the want of an explicit command be any ar- 
 gument against this duty, it will apply with equal force 
 to public prayer, for which there is no such professed 
 command. Both these duties are dictated by the nature 
 and spirit of genuine religion. And where this exists and 
 reigns in the heart of any man, he does not require, nor 
 wait for, such a command. He is prompted to their ob- 
 servance, by the influence of divine grace, just as he is 
 moved to eat or sleep, by the natural appetites of the 
 body. " The world had gone on for many ages," says a 
 late judicious writer, " and been favoured too, with no 
 small portion of divine revelation, without prayer in any 
 form, having been once enjoined or instituted as a duty, 
 whether in the closet, the family, or the church. No ; 
 from the beginning, the piety of the heart led men to take 
 up this subject in the only way w r hich was natural, and 
 proper, and safe ; from the beginning, such men had al- 
 ways prayed and worshipped, and that, thousands of 
 years before Paul had said to Timothy, ' I will that men 
 pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath 
 and doubting.' 
 
 " The very first injunction in Scripture, therefore, respect- 
 ing such a moral duty, was likely to occur, not in the 
 way of positive institution, as something which then only 
 had begun to be incumbent, and then only to be begun, 
 and much less something which w r as before unknown. 
 Accordingly it turns out, that the first injunction respect- 
 ing prayer, in the volume of inspiration, the terms of 
 which regard it, as in any sense generally obligatory, 
 does not occur until the w r orld was at least three thou- 
 sand vears old, and the Jewish church about eight hun- 
 
56 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 dred. Psalms cxxii. 6. Perhaps the passage which 
 might be styled the second, does not occur till at least 
 two hundred years after. Jerem. xxix. 7. At the same 
 time, the manner, the seasons, the spirit, the constancy, 
 the universality of prayer, as the attendant of piety, I find 
 scattered over the whole volume, from the earliest times. 
 Nay, it is not a little remarkable, that the very first pas- 
 sage in which prayer is recorded, happens to be the sup- 
 plication of a parent — the fervent wish of a father for his 
 son. Gen. xvii. 18. And the very next presents this same 
 parent before us, interceding with peculiar earnestness, 
 for the vilest of men. Gen. xviii. 24."* 
 
 Had there been an express command given, in regard 
 to this duty, as to time, place, and frequency, it would 
 doubtless have occasioned much distress to tender con- 
 sciences, wherever and whenever it could not be perform- 
 ed, for want of time or opportunity, in a proper manner 
 It seems, moreover, to have been left in the way that we 
 find it, for the purpose of trying the spirits of men, whe- 
 ther they be of God or not. It certainly does operate as 
 a test, by which the character and degree of every pa- 
 rent's religion, faith, and love, are determined. And it 
 points out those who would excuse themselves from the 
 duty, on the ground of there being no express command 
 on the subject. 
 
 We are not left, however, without sufficient light, even 
 from Scripture, on this subject. There are general ex- 
 hortations to the duty of prayer, in connexion with a spe- 
 cification of other family duties, from which it would be 
 difficult to argue an exception in favour of that now un- 
 der consideration, and in which it is as evidently included, 
 as that of private or public prayer. No particular form 
 is specified, while prayer in general is enjoined; and that 
 
 * Anderson's Book for Parents, p. 317. 
 
FAMILY RELIGION. 57 
 
 too, in such a connexion as makes it evident that family- 
 prayer is particularly meant. For example ; the apostle 
 Paul writing to the Colossians, enters into a minute detail 
 of family duties, and winds up by saying, " continue in 
 prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving." Col. 
 hi. iv. 1, 2. We find a similar detail of domestic duties 
 in his epistle to the Ephesians, which he also concludes 
 by saying, " praying always with all prayer and suppli- 
 cation in the spirit." Eph. vi. 1 — 18. "Praying always 
 with all prayer," is a mode of expression which clearly 
 includes family prayer. And to make an exception of 
 this species of devotion, w r ould certainly be presumption, 
 and a trifling w T ith Scripture. Again : this Apostle, writ- 
 ing to Timothy, says, " I will, therefore, that men pray 
 everywhere." 1 Tim. ii. 8. Is a family circle nowhere, 
 or is it included in the everywhere ? The apostle Peter 
 exhorts husbands and wives to dwell together, as " be- 
 ing heirs of the grace of life, that their prayers be not 
 hindered." 1 Peter, iii. 7. This exhortation, also, is in 
 connexion with a partial detail of domestic duties. So- 
 cial, united family prayer seems here to be primarily in- 
 tended: for if there be contention, bitterness, and unkind- 
 ness between the heads of the family, how is it possible 
 that they can unite their hearts and their devotions at the 
 family altar ? Social prayer is a union and communion 
 of desire and thanksgiving towards God ; but this will be 
 hindered, if there be not a proper understanding and feel- 
 ing between those who come together for worship : and 
 certainly there will be none, if they do not pray together 
 at all. They should live, therefore, together as the heirs 
 of the grace of life, praying together with the family, and 
 entertaining for each other a suitable affection. 
 
 The Psalmist says, " The Lord loveth the gates of Zion 
 more than all the dwellings of Jacob." Ps. lxxxvii. 2. It 
 is not said that he loves not the dwellings of Jacob, but 
 
58 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 that he loves the gates of Zion more. He loves them both 
 for the same reason, namely, the worship that is paid him 
 in both. The worship of the sanctuary is a more public 
 and solemn act of devotion. But that of the family is not 
 the less obligatory. And this obligation, the pious of 
 every age have felt and acknowledged. Hence, "the 
 voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of 
 the righteous." Ps. cxviii. 15. The promise connected 
 with the duty of social prayer, was designed to embrace 
 the smallest number that can constitute a family; for it 
 is where but two or three are gathered together for this 
 purpose, that he is in the midst of them. 
 
 " I query if that beautiful form of prayer, which our 
 blessed Lord gave to his followers, does not involve an 
 argument in favour of family prayer ; nay, of daily fami- 
 ly devotion. It is worthy of remark, that in the sixth 
 chapter of Matthew, after he had directed his disciples 
 with regard to private prayer, he did not stop there. In 
 the seventh verse, he begins to use the plural number, and 
 proceeding to a social act of worship, he refers to the 
 prayers of such as could pray together daily. In this most 
 comprehensive prayer, after giving to God that place and 
 honour which corresponds to the first table of the moral 
 law, he descends to matters of daily and common interest 
 in a family ; and among these, here instructing the poor- 
 est parent how to dismiss inordinate anxiety, as to the 
 common provision for his little band, he directs him to 
 pray — ' Our Father who art in heaven — give us this day 
 our daily bread.' The petition immediately preceding 
 this, had been — ' thy will be done on earth as it is done 
 in heaven.' Now, I would only ask, if over the wide 
 world, the will of God were done, by whom would, nay, 
 by whom could this petition, in genera], be offered, if not 
 by the parent, at the head of his family, to whom, as an 
 instrument under God, we look for the provision of such 
 
FAMILY RELIGION. 59 
 
 daily sustenance ? Or, I ask, can a more beautiful morn- 
 ing-picture be conceived, than that of the fathers below, 
 thus beginning the day I Meanwhile, should the solitary 
 christian, retiring to his closet, and carrying the social 
 spirit of Christianity along with him, use this form, un- 
 questionably he will be heard ; and in the house of God, 
 leaving the world behind us, let us do the same occasion- 
 ally ; but still in form and spirit, this will ever remain a 
 week-day social family prayer."* 
 
 God is certainly not regardless of those families who 
 honour him by their social devotions. Nor is he indif- 
 ferent to those that neglect this important duty. He will 
 " pour out his fury upon the heathen that know him not, 
 and upon the families that call not on his name." Jer. x. 
 25. Heathen families call not on the name of the true 
 God, but he that neglects to provide for his own house, 
 both temporally and spiritually, is worse than an infidel. 
 What, then, shall be his portion ? u If he that despised 
 Moses' law, died without mercy under two or three wit- 
 nesses, of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall 
 he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the 
 Son of God ?" Heb. x. 28, 29. As the Lord would not 
 suffer the destroying angel to come into their houses to 
 smite them, whose lintels and two side-posts of the door, 
 were sprinkled with the blood of the lamb, so we may 
 confide in his mercy, that he will smile upon those houses 
 where the morning and evening sacrifice of praise, is 
 offered up to the Lamb of God. 
 
 It is related that an earthquake once destroyed a town 
 in Switzerland, consisting of ninety houses: every house 
 was thrown down except the half of a house, in which 
 part, a family were assembled and engaged in worship. 
 The observance of family duties, or of any other duties 
 
 * Andersen's Book for Parents, p. 822, 323. 
 
60 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 is not, indeed, a meritorious ground of acceptance with 
 God, for we are not justified by works, but by the right- 
 eousness of Christ; yet it is equally true, that God is 
 pleased in mercy to bless them that honour him. He 
 establisheth the habitation of the righteous. 
 
 SECTION III. 
 
 Let us now look at the examples of those eminent saints 
 mentioned in Scripture, and see whether they thought the 
 duty of family- worship obligatory or not. More was not 
 required of them than of us ; rather less was to be ex- 
 pected, as they had less light. " Life and immortality 
 were brought to light by the Gospel." " The law was 
 given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus 
 Christ." " There hath not risen a greater than John the 
 Baptist : notwithstanding, he that is least in the kingdom 
 of heaven is greater than he." Matt. xi. 11. "And that 
 servant which knew the Lord's will, and prepared not 
 himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten 
 with many stripes ; but he that knew not, and did com- 
 mit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few 
 stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him 
 shall be much required; and to whom men have com- 
 mitted much, of him they will ask the more." Luke xii. 
 47, 48. If, then, the light of nature and of Scripture, 
 were sufficient to lead those whose examples we are about 
 to examine, to the observance of this duty, how much 
 rather should the increased light of the Gospel, the in- 
 creased manifestation of the Holy Spirit, and the in- 
 creased knowledge of God's will, lead us to its habitual 
 and faithful performance ! How much more has God a 
 right to expect at our hands, who have been favoured 
 with a much more full revelation of his mind, and of our 
 duty to him ! 
 
 The patriarchs, whithersoever they journeyed, built al- 
 
FAMILY RELIGION. 61 
 
 tars to God, at which they and their families worshipped. 
 God bears honourable testimony to the faithfulness of 
 Abraham in this respect, " For I know him, that he will 
 command his children and his household after him, and 
 they shall keep the way of the Lord to do justice and 
 judgment." Gen. xviii. 19. Now "If ye were Abraham's 
 children, ye would do the works of Abraham." John viii. 
 39. But even Abraham was not justified by works, but 
 by faith. " For if Abraham were justified by works, he 
 hath whereof to glory, but not before God." Rom. iv. 2. 
 
 " Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that 
 were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among 
 you, and be clean, and change your garments : and let 
 us arise and go up to Bethel ; and I will make there an 
 altar unto God." Gen. xxxv. 2, 3. 
 
 Joshua resolved that " as for me and my house, we will 
 serve the Lord." Josh. xxiv. 15. Queen Esther and her 
 maidens kept a fast together. Esther iv. 16. The days 
 wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, in the time 
 of Mordecai, were kept, according to their appointed time 
 every year, by " every generation, every family, every 
 province, and every city." Esther ix. 28. 
 
 " Job rose early in the morning, and offered burnt offer- 
 ings for his sons, according to the number of them all: 
 for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and 
 cursed God in their hearts. . Thus did Job continually." 
 Job i. 5. 
 
 At the institution of the passover, it was required that 
 the people " take to them every man a lamb, according 
 to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house : and if 
 the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his 
 neighbour unto his house, take it according to the number 
 of the souls." Ex. xii. 3, 4. Here was family worship. 
 It was a regulation that no lamb should be used for less 
 than ten persons : each family or company, therefore, was 
 
 6 
 
62 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 required to have at least that number of members. Hence 
 small families had to unite with their neighbours in this 
 worship, in order to make up the requisite number. But 
 under the Gospel, that is social and acceptable worship, 
 where even two or three are met together in the name 
 of the Lord. Although this service was subsequently 
 performed at the temple, morning and evening, yet the 
 distinctive character of a family offering was preserved. 
 
 " Now this is that which thou shalt offer upon the altar ; 
 two lambs of the first year, day by day continually. 
 The one lamb shalt thou offer in the morning, and the 
 other lamb shalt thou offer at even." Ex. xxix. 38, 39. 
 To this the Psalmist probably alludes when he says, " my 
 voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord: in the 
 morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look 
 up." Ps. v. 3. " Let my prayer be set forth before thee 
 as incense, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening 
 sacrifice." Ps. cxli. 2. 
 
 Cornelius the centurion was " a devout man, and one 
 that feared God with all his house, which gave much 
 alms to the people, and prayed to God always." Acts x. 
 2. " At the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold 
 a man stood before me in bright clothing." ver. 30. If 
 he " prayed to God always" and " prayed in his house," 
 there can be no doubt that he prayed with his family. 
 
 It is manifestly true that " except the Lord build the 
 house, they labour in vain that build it." 
 
 As the character and condition of your posterity, are 
 intimately connected with the due observance of this duty 
 in your house, it becomes a matter of unspeakable mo- 
 ment to every parent. David says of the Lord, "He 
 established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in 
 Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should 
 make them known to their children, that the generations 
 to come might know them, even the children which should 
 
FAMILY RELIGION. 63 
 
 be born, who should arise and declare them to their chil- 
 dren, that they might set their hope in God, and not for- 
 get the works of God, but keep his commandments." Ps. 
 lxxviii. 5 — 7. Perhaps, the present degraded condition 
 of the millions of immortal souls now living in idolatry, 
 as well as that of the many profligate and irreligious 
 families in Christendom, might be traced up to the neglect 
 of this important duty, as one principal cause. And who 
 can tell the misery, degradation, and guilt into which you 
 may plunge generations yet unborn, by neglecting to call 
 upon God in your family? You must expect to reap 
 what you sow. " Do men gather grapes of thorns, or 
 figs of thistles V 9 What, then, may you reasonably ex- 
 pect to result to your offspring, by training them up in 
 irreligion, and in the neglect of obvious duty? On the 
 other hand, how uniform and striking are the providence 
 and grace of God, in regard to those families and their 
 descendants, where the morning and evening incense of 
 praise and prayer, ascended habitually to God, from their 
 consecrated circle ! In the Old as well as in the New 
 Testament, it may be seen, how piety and blessedness 
 descended in the same family, from generation to gene- 
 ration. " Of the twelve apostles of the Lamb, eight of 
 them were brothers chosen out of three families ; and no- 
 thing, by the way, could be more lovely than these bro- 
 thers going out two and two, as they afterwards did, by 
 the direction of our Saviour."* 
 
 " Mary, the mother of four of the apostles, as well as of 
 Joses or Joseph (who is generally regarded to have been 
 one of the two individuals whom the apostles proposed 
 as qualified to fill the place of Judas, and who, therefore, 
 had accompanied the Messiah in all his travels,) sustain- 
 ed a character equal to that of Salome, her constant 
 
 * Anderson's Book for Parents, p. 84. 
 
64 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 companion. This eminent woman had the felicity not 
 only of furnishing four out of the twelve apostles of the 
 Lamb, — she, too, followed him, and she also ministered 
 to him of her substance, with the cordial consent of such 
 a man as Cleopas her husband. At the closing scene, to 
 her was also given the honour of standing by, and sus- 
 taining the mother of Jesus, when he was stretched on 
 the cross."* 
 
 Timothy was the descendant of a pious family, and 
 this is particularly noticed by the Apostle Paul as a mat- 
 ter of importance. " When I call to remembrance the 
 unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy 
 grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am 
 persuaded that in thee also." 2 Tim. i. 5. 
 
 The regular observance of family worship, will have 
 the happiest effect upon the whole household. He who 
 leads them in this service will, by its secret and almost 
 unconscious influence, be led to be more circumspect in 
 his outward walk, knowing that the office which he holds 
 in the family, naturally creates in the minds of the mem- 
 bers of it, the expectation of a becoming example. How 
 can he use improper language, or exhibit an unchristian 
 temper, when he is so soon to lead them in prayer to the 
 throne of grace ? How can he neglect the sanctuary, or 
 desecrate the Sabbath, while he scrupulously attends 
 upon the duties of the domestic altar ? " He who stated- 
 ly invites others to be witnesses of his devotions," says 
 the late Robert Hall, " invites a peculiar inspection of 
 his behaviour, and must be conscious to how much ob- 
 servation and contempt he lays himself open, should he 
 betray a flagrant inconsistency between his prayers and 
 his conduct. That parent who, morning and evening, 
 
 * Anderson's Book for Parents, p. 88. 
 
FAMILY RELIGION. 65 
 
 summons his family to acts of devotion, is not, perhaps, 
 distinctly aware of the total amount of the influence this 
 circumstance has upon his mind. It will act as a con- 
 tinual monitor, and will impose useful restraints upon his 
 behaviour. He recollects that he is about to assume an 
 awful and venerable character in the eyes of his domes- 
 tics — a character which must set the indulgence of a 
 multitude of improprieties in a most glaring light. Is he 
 in danger of being ensnared into indecent levity, or of 
 contracting a habit of foolish jesting and talking 1 he re- 
 collects he is soon to appear as the mouth of his family, 
 in addressing the blessed God. Is he surrounded with 
 temptations to an immoderate indulgence of his fleshly 
 appetites in meats and drinks ? Should he yield to the 
 temptation, how could he bear, in the eyes of his family, 
 to appear on his knees before God ? Is he tempted to 
 use harsh and provoking language to his children 1 he 
 recollects he is in a few hours to bear them in his arms 
 before the Lord. He is to commend his companion in 
 life, to the divine mercy and protection ; how then can 
 he be ' bitter against her V The case of his servants is 
 to be shortly presented before God in social prayer ; un- 
 der such a recollection, it will surely not be difficult for 
 him to forbear threatening, reflecting that he himself has 
 a master in heaven. Knowing that in the hearing of all 
 his inmates, he is about to bewail the corruption of his 
 nature, to implore pardon for his sins, and strength to re- 
 sist temptation ; will he not feel a double obligation on 
 this account, to struggle against that corruption, and 
 anxiously to shun temptation ? The punctual discharge 
 of the duty we are contending for, will naturally strength- 
 en his sense of the obligation of domestic duties, forcibly 
 remind him of what he owes to every member of the 
 
 '6* 
 
66 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 domestic circle, and cement the ties of conjugal and pa- 
 rental affection."* 
 
 The influence of this service, will be sensibly felt by 
 the children and domestics of the family. It will cause 
 them to recollect that there is a God, that he is present 
 with them at all times, and is not only a constant eye- 
 witness to their conduct, but that he is intimately ac- 
 quainted with their most secret thoughts, purposes, and 
 desires. It will remind them, that there are solemn and 
 important duties which he requires of them, and that he 
 will hold them guilty, if they neglect them. It will im- 
 press on their minds the instructions of the Sabbath, 
 whether received from the pulpit, or in the Sabbath 
 School. It will convince them of the duty of prayer, 
 and in a great measure teach them how to pray. When 
 he, who leads the devotions, acknowledges and bewails 
 their sinfulness, it will cause them to think of, and consid- 
 er their true character, and teach them the awful nature 
 of sin, that it is " an evil and a bitter thing," and that 
 repentance is a duty, and a necessary prerequisite to the 
 enjoyment of God's favour. When he asks of God the 
 pardon of their iniquities, it will teach them their guilt 
 and condemnation in his sight. When he supplicates the 
 regenerating and sanctifying grace of the Spirit, it will 
 teach them their native corruption, and the indispensable 
 necessity of a change of heart. When he asks for pro- 
 tection, it will remind them of their danger and helpless- 
 ness, and direct their minds to the only sure defence. When 
 he asks a merciful provision for their daily wants, it will 
 teach them their dependence, and point them to the source 
 of bounty. When he prays for their enemies, it will 
 teach them the duty of forgiveness, and to return good 
 for evil. When he prays for their absent friends, it will 
 
 * Hall's Works, Vol. iii. p. 135. 
 
FAMILY RELIGION. 67 
 
 teach them the duty of intercession, and of cultivating a 
 kind and benevolent spirit towards all. When he prays 
 for the coming and extension of the Redeemer's kingdom 
 on earth, it will impress them with a sense of universal 
 good will, expand their minds beyond the little circle, and 
 even the community in which they live, and tend to fill 
 them with new conceptions of the Divine glory and per- 
 fections. When their own souls are made the subject of 
 earnest supplication, they will most likely be arrested, 
 and made to ponder their ways. It will teach them both 
 the value and the danger of their souls, and may excite 
 within them a hopeful anxiety for their salvation. It may 
 lead them to prize the favour of God more than every 
 earthly good, and to seek it with earnestness and success. 
 Such has been the case in numerous instances. The dis- 
 closures of eternity will reveal facts of the most soul- 
 stirring character, in regard to the results of this service, 
 wherever it has been statedly and zealously performed. 
 Many who shall forever " praise God in his holiness," will 
 attribute their salvation, instrumentally, to the devotions 
 of the domestic circle. Many a child's heart has been 
 pierced with a sense of sin, and brought to saving 'con- 
 trition, by means of a parent's affectionate and earnest 
 prayers in his behalf, and in his hearing. 
 
 Singing the praises of God, will teach them the duty 
 of gratitude and thanksgiving. And the devout reading 
 of the Scriptures, will beget in their minds a proper and 
 salutary reverence for the Holy Book, and store them 
 with many important truths, of which otherwise they 
 would perhaps have ever remained ignorant. 
 
 The whole service calls them away from the consider- 
 ation of earthly things, to that of spiritual and eternal 
 things. It restrains the criminal indulgence of the pas- 
 sions, and interrupts the current of w r orldly and sinful 
 thoughts and plans. It has reclaimed many a profligate, 
 
68 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 rescued from destruction many a devotee to fleshly lusts, 
 and saved to society and to the church, many a valuable 
 and useful member. It has bound up many broken, wid- 
 owed hearts, wiped away many bitter tears, hushed the 
 tumult of many distracted bosoms, and lengthened the 
 lives, and increased the happiness of many fond and 
 anxious parents. But where shall we end the enumera- 
 tion of its delightful results ? The subject expands as we 
 meditate upon it ; the mind is lost in the contemplation 
 of the variety of its effects, and of the importance and 
 
 magnitude of its influence. 
 
 ■ 
 
 SECTION IV. 
 
 Perhaps the reader of these pages, is by this time, if 
 not before, convinced of the great importance of the 
 duty we have endeavoured to exhibit, and of the obliga- 
 tion there is upon him, punctually and faithfully to dis- 
 charge it. But there may arise in his mind particular 
 difficulties, which hinder him from following the dictates 
 of his judgment and his conscience. If the mind be 
 thoroughly persuaded that the duty of family religion is 
 of as great moment as we have represented it to be, it 
 will be difficult to satisfy the conscience with any objec- 
 tion, short of an impossibility to perform it. Perhaps the 
 same excuses, if urged with equal plausibility, in extenua- 
 tion of neglect in matters unconnected with religion, 
 would not receive a moment's countenance, even from 
 those who justify themselves in the omission of the duty 
 in question, on the same grounds. Sometimes, while 
 justly condemning others, we at the same time uncon- 
 sciously condemn ourselves. The heart being " deceitful 
 above all things," we may not be surprised that " All the 
 ways of a man are clean in his own eyes." Prov. xvi. 2. 
 " Every way of a man is right in his own eyes." Prov. 
 
FAMILY RELIGION. 69 
 
 xxi. 2. Hence we find that men are apt to justify their 
 own conduct, and condemn that of another as inexcusa- 
 ble, while the principle involved is the same in both, and 
 the conduct of both equally sinful in the sight of God, 
 who " pondereth the heart." 
 
 1. The first objection we shall notice, is the want of 
 time, properly and statedly to perform this duty. 
 
 It may be safely taken for granted, that there can not 
 be conflicting duties. That which an undoubted duty 
 renders impossible to be done, can not itself be duty. 
 This would suppose derangement in the government and 
 plans of God, which is wholly inadmissible. If, then, fami- 
 ly worship be an obvious duty, we can not be warranted 
 in occupying the time in which it should be performed, 
 in doing any thing else. If it be a duty at all, it must 
 also be a duty to employ some time in performing it, and 
 it can not be our duty to employ this time in doing some- 
 thing else. Whatever we do, therefore, when we should 
 be attending to family devotion, is sinfully done, and in 
 direct opposition to the will of God ; and to plead the 
 one as an excuse for the neglect of the other, is to j)lead 
 one sin in extenuation of another. The time which 
 should be employed in serving God, is his time, and not 
 ours. When he demands a service, he also demands the 
 necessary time for its performance. This is evident. 
 Now if that time be otherwise employed, it is withholding 
 from God that which is his due. It is robbing God of 
 what rightfully belongs to him. If your servant should 
 neglect to perform the service for which you have bar- 
 gained with him, and plead the w r ant of time as his ex- 
 cuse, what would be your reply ? Would it not be — " in 
 bargaining for your service, I bargained for all the time 
 that the service requires ; and to appropriate that time 
 to your own or other purposes, is to deprive me of what 
 is my legal and rightful due !" If this would be your re 
 
70 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 ply, as I apprehend it would be, then you have furnished 
 an answer to your own objection. On what ground do 
 you presume upon success in any business, that is trans- 
 acted at the expense of God's rights ? Should you pros- 
 per in life, notwithstanding this disregard of his claim, 
 may you not justly conclude that he is permitting you to 
 fill up the cup of your iniquity, and that he has deferred 
 the settlement of his account with you, to the day of 
 righteous retribution? May not your success in worldly 
 gain, be regarded as a fearful premonition of coming 
 vengeance ? You may have, as many others have, your 
 portion in this life. What an awful thought ! What a still 
 more awful reality ! ! 
 
 If the business in which you are engaged, be an unlaw- 
 ful calling, how greatly aggravated is the guilt of occu- 
 pying God's time in prosecuting it! Men, generally, are 
 not sufficiently impressed with a sense of their entire 
 dependence on God, for success in their worldly affairs. 
 They acknowledge it as a theoretic truth, but are not 
 habitually influenced by the belief of it. " Except God 
 build the house, they labour in vain that build it." Ps. 
 cxxvii. 1. Men are also slow to credit that important 
 declaration of Scripture, " Godliness is profitable unto all 
 things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that 
 which is to come." They do not practically believe the 
 promise annexed to the injunction, " seek first the king- 
 dom of God and his righteousness, and all these things 
 shall be added unto you." This objection is not unlike 
 that which Judas made to Mary's anointing the head 
 and feet of Christ with precious ointment. He thought it 
 might be otherwise employed to greater advantage. But 
 Christ said, "wheresoever this gospel shall be preached 
 in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman 
 hath done, be told for a memorial of her." This objec- 
 tion asks, " to what purpose is this waste" of time ? Judas, 
 
FAMILY RELIGION. 71 
 
 indeed, in making the objection, professed great solicitude 
 for the poor, to whose relief he supposed the price of the 
 ointment might be more piously applied. But here the 
 objector supposes that the time required for family devo- 
 tion, might be otherwise employed to his own advantage; 
 or even should he propose to employ that time in acts of 
 charity, or in acquiring means of benevolent relief to the 
 needy, still it may be asked, does God require you to do 
 good by neglecting duty, or to do evil that good may 
 come of it ? Does he require you to do his will in one 
 respect, by disregarding it in another? Certainly not. 
 Let the objector examine carefully and prayerfully, his 
 own heart, and he will find that the difficulty is a want 
 of disposition, not a want of time. 
 
 2. Another objection sometimes urged against the dis- 
 charge of the duty of family worship, is incapacity to 
 lead the devotions of others. But even if this difficulty 
 really exist, is it insurmountable 1 Have you ever labour- 
 ed to overcome it? Have you ever ventured to make 
 trial of your capacity in this respect? 
 
 "Have you no words? — Ah! think again ; 
 Words flow apace, when you complain, 
 And fill your fellow-creature's ear 
 With the sad tale of all your care. 
 
 Were half the breath thus vainly spent, 
 To heaven in supplication sent, 
 Your cheerful songs would oft'ner be, 
 1 Hear what the Lord has done for me.' " 
 
 If you have never made the attempt, you can not de- 
 cide upon your ability, and therefore you can not offer 
 the excuse with all sincerity. This duty, like all others, 
 should be undertaken in the strength of God, and not in 
 your own ; with a firm reliance upon Divine assistance, 
 and not with presumption or self-sufficiency. In your at- 
 tempt, you may be unexpectedly assisted, and "the 
 
72 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 strength of God be perfected in your weakness." Until 
 you shall have made a fair trial, therefore, you can not 
 be justified in your neglect, on the ground of incapacity. 
 Where the spirit of prayer is granted, the gift is not 
 usually withheld ; and although it be given in small mea- 
 sure, yet by practice it may be so cultivated as to be 
 employed to the edification of those whom you are called 
 to lead to a throne of grace. It is quite certain that no 
 improvement in tins respect, can result from total or 
 habitual neglect. Where no effort is made to obviate the 
 difficulty, we can not expect that it will be obviated by a 
 miracle. If, however, after an honest and persevering 
 endeavour to conduct the worship of your family, you 
 should be persuaded that your efforts to do so with ad- 
 vantage, are unavailing, still you are not left to the sad 
 alternative of neglecting the duty. There are admirable 
 forms of family prayer, in print, and accessible even by 
 those of the most restricted means. Such forms may be 
 used, where there is evident incapacity for extempora- 
 neous prayer, with perfect propriety and great advantage. 
 Those inserted in this book are designed, not as perma- 
 nent substitutes for extemporaneous prayer, but as aids 
 which may be used, till practice shall have enabled you 
 to do without them. 
 
 Those who would rather live in the neglect of this duty, 
 than avail themselves of such useful helps, plainly show 
 that the difficulty with them, is not a want of capacity, 
 but a want of disposition. 
 
 3. Another difficulty which some profess to feel, is a 
 want of confidence and moral courage. They are ashamed 
 to introduce into their families, a service so religious in its 
 character, and one which both implies and requires so 
 much attention and concern in serious matters. I have 
 no doubt that this objection is often honestly made. This, 
 moreover, is sometimes the real difficulty, while others 
 
FAMILY RELIGION. 73 
 
 are professed. But while we admire the honesty of the 
 confession, we can by no means approve the state of 
 heart which it discovers. It exhibits the fear of man as 
 predominant over the fear of God. It is not the wrath 
 of man, that is at all times most dreaded : for his ridicule 
 and scorn have often more influence than his threaten- 
 ings. And many permit themselves to be laughed out. 
 of their most precious interests, even the salvation of 
 their souls. Both their interest and duty give way before 
 the pointed finger of scorn, the taunts and jeers of scoff- 
 ers, and the curled lip of the contemptuous. This always 
 manifests a great weakness of moral principle, and little 
 or no sense of religious obligation. Such appear not to 
 know, or to forget, that " He that sitteth in the heavens 
 shall laugh ; the Lord shall have them in derision," Ps. 
 ii. 4. " I also will laugh at your calamity ; I will mock 
 when your fear cometh," Prov. i. 26. 
 
 What blindness, what depravity, what contempt of the 
 Most High, does it discover, when men are ashamed of 
 God and of his service ! 
 
 " Jesus ! and shall it ever be, 
 A mortal man ashamed of thee ! 
 Ashamed of thee, whom angels praise, 
 Whose glories shine thro* endless days. 
 
 Ashamed of Jesus ! yes, I may — 
 When I've no guilt to wash away — 
 No tear to wipe — no good to crave — 
 No fear to quell — no soul to save." 
 
 " No ! let the world cast out my name 
 
 And vile account me if they will ; 
 If to confess the Lord be shame, 
 
 I purpose to be viler still." 
 
 •'Whosoever shall be ashamed of me," says Christ, 
 " and of my words, in this adulterous and sinful genera- 
 tion, of him also shall the Son of Man be ashamed, when 
 
 7 
 
74 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 he cometh in the glory of his Father, with the holy 
 angels," Mark, viii. 38. Christ is not ashamed to call 
 his followers brethren, nor is God ashamed to be called 
 their God. Heb. ii. 11, xi. 16. But " let them be ashamed 
 that transgress without cause," Ps. xxv. 3. 
 
 If you be ashamed to perform this duty, perhaps God 
 has determined that this particular service shall be the 
 touchstone, by which your love and faith shall be tried 
 and determined. Pause and consider, then, before you 
 longer neglect the duty on this ground. 
 
 4. It may happen that a female, who is the sole head 
 of a family, will object to the observance of family wor- 
 ship on that account. But if the providence of God has 
 cast her lot in circumstances which devolve this duty 
 naturally on her, she is unquestionably bound to perform 
 it. If God has placed you at the head of a family, he 
 has not relieved you from the duties which belong to that 
 station. The injunction to bring up your children in the 
 nurture and admonition of the Lord, is to parents, both 
 male and female. 
 
 5. Where the wife is disposed to the service, but the 
 husband is unwilling, ihere both a duty and a trial are 
 imposed upon her. They -should not "fall out by the 
 way," for " the wrath of man worketh not the righteous- 
 ness of God." " For God hath called us to peace." But 
 she should endeavour to win over her husband to the 
 path of duty, by reasoning with him, in kindness and af- 
 fection. And if he will not be won, she may retire with 
 her children and servants, in a way the most inoffensive 
 to her partner, and there lead them in prayer to God, in 
 behalf of the whole family. * For what knowest thou, 
 
 wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband ? or how 
 knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife." 
 
 1 Cor. vii. 16. 
 
 If you have resolved like Joshua, that as for you and 
 
FAMILY RELIGION. 75 
 
 your house, you will serve the Lord, never omit this 
 duty, if it can possibly be performed. Frequent, and 
 even occasional omissions weaken the sense of obliga- 
 tion, and prepare the way for habitual neglect. "Be in- 
 stant in season, and out of season." If visitors should 
 lodge under your roof, let not their presence deter you 
 from duty, nor interfere with the religious customs of 
 your house. This would impose a restraint upon them, 
 if they knew it; and would imply one of two things, 
 either that you were glad of an opportunity to omit the 
 duty, or that their presence was in some degree unwel- 
 come, as it deprives you of a valuable privilege. But 
 those who enjoy your hospitality, surely would not object 
 to your enjoyment of your religion. Nay, it would leave 
 on their minds an unfavourable impression, in regard to 
 your piety, and your sense of religious obligation. Even 
 should they be secretly indisposed to the service, they 
 will expect better things of you, and naturally look for 
 consistency of character and conduct. But this is not 
 all : the service may be blessed to their salvation. The 
 reading of the Scriptures, and the prayer you offer, may 
 become, by the grace of the Holy Spirit, effectual to 
 their regeneration. And those who come to your house, 
 strangers to God, and without Christ, may leave it re- 
 joicing in the hope of eternal life, or at least with such 
 impressions, as may ripen into true godliness. While, 
 therefore, you will lose much by omitting the duty, you 
 may gain much, even an immortal soul, by faithfully per- 
 forming it. 
 
 The reader may infer from this whole subject, the vast 
 importance, and indispensable necessity of true* piety' in 
 the heads of families : not only for the sake of their own 
 salvation, but of those committed to their care. For it 
 may be generally said of parents, as it was of Achan, if 
 they perish, they perish not alone. 
 
76 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 In the view of that great responsibility which rests 
 upon parents, and of the variety, and peculiar nature of 
 the duties devolving upon them, how essential is the 
 grace of God properly to meet, and faithfully to discharge 
 them ! Unless the importance of religion be duly appre- 
 ciated, and sensibly felt by the head of the family, he will 
 not urge it upon his children and servants, with that earn- 
 estness and importunity which the case demands. And 
 the necessity of an interest in Christ, will not be pressed 
 with that unwearied diligence, with that heartfelt solici- 
 tude, and prayful affection, which are so necessary to 
 success. Let parents lay these things to heart ; and may 
 they and theirs be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus ! 
 
A SELECTION 
 
 OF 
 
 FAMILY PRAYERS 
 
 FIRST WEEK. 
 
 SUNDAY MORNING. Swete. 
 
 O Merciful Lord, from whom alone every good and 
 perfect gift cometh, pour upon us, we humbly beseech thee, 
 the Spirit of thy grace, that we may approach thy mer- 
 cy-seat through our Divine Redeemer, and make known 
 our requests unto thee, by prayer, and supplication with 
 thanksgiving. 
 
 We praise thee for the great encouragement which 
 thou hast given us, to worship, and fall down, and kneel 
 before the Lord our Maker. We confess that we have 
 erred and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep, and are 
 unworthy to come into thy presence ; but we would draw 
 near unto thee, because thou hast graciously opened to 
 us a door of access through faith in Jesus Christ, our Sa- 
 viour, and hast revealed thyself as our merciful Father 
 in him. We bless thee, that through him thou hast sent 
 a full, free, and everlasting redemption ; that thou hast 
 commanded thy covenant for ever, and sealed it with his 
 atoning blood, — and that in thy blessed Gospel thou dost 
 promise pardon and peace to all those who believe in his 
 name. O Lord, we believe, help thou our unbelief. — En- 
 able us by faith to look unto Jesus as the Lord our Right- 
 eousness, and to receive out of his fulness, grace to sup- 
 ply our wants, to conform our souls to his divine image, 
 and to enrich us with all the blessings of his salvation. 
 
 7* 
 
78 FAMILY RELIGION 
 
 Blessed Lord, we adore thy name for having appointed 
 this day to be kept holy, for this is the day of sacred rest 
 which Thou hast made, — this is the Sabbath, the holy of 
 the Lord ; which, in thine infinite wisdom and goodness, 
 thou hast consecrated to thyself, as a memorial of the ac- 
 complishment of the works of creation, and of the still 
 more glorious work of redemption. 
 
 Alas ! too often have we abused and profaned thy Sab- 
 baths, wasting them in the pursuit of the unsatisfying 
 pleasures of this world. — Too often have we rushed into 
 the courts of thy sanctuary without consideration, or 
 without any desire to worship thee in spirit and in truth : 
 — Yea, too often have we put on the mask of hypocrisy, 
 approaching thee with our lips, whilst our hearts were 
 unhumbled and unclean in thy sight. But, O thou Lord 
 of the Sabbath, look on us now in mercy. Pardon this, 
 as well as all our other multiplied offences against thee ; 
 and give us grace from henceforth to glorify thee by the 
 sanctification of thy Sabbaths, not only outwardly in our 
 actions, but inwardly in our thoughts and affections, that 
 we may find them, as they were designed to be, delight- 
 ful foretastes of the eternal rest prepared for all thy ran- 
 somed people. 
 
 Gracious God, meet and bless us in all our religious ser- 
 vices this day, and whether we are engaged in secret, in 
 family, or in public worship, impart to us a holy solem- 
 nity of mind. But especially when we enter into the 
 courts of thy sanctuary, impress our minds with an aw- 
 ful sense of thine exalted majesty and glory, and help us 
 in every part of the services of this day, to realize thy 
 gracious presence. Check every vain and wandering 
 thought, and deliver us from that coldness and formality 
 with which we are so often oppressed. Prepare our 
 hearts, O Lord, to receive thy Gospel, and make us joy- 
 ful with fresh discoveries of the grace and truth that are 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 79 
 
 in Jesus Christ. May thy word be profitable, being mix- 
 ed with faith in us, and may it be as good seed, bringing 
 forth the fruits of righteousness and true holiness to thy 
 honour and glory. 
 
 *[Blessed Lord, let thy gracious presence be especially 
 with those of us who shall attend thy table this day. Help 
 us in that sacred ordinance to commemorate thy dying 
 love. Kindle within us genuine repentance, lively faith, 
 and fervent charity ; and though we are unworthy to 
 gather up the crumbs that fall from thy table, yet, rely- 
 ing on thine exceeding great and precious promises, may 
 we approach thee in the character of thy children, and 
 " feed upon thee in our hearts by faith with thanksgiv- 
 ing." And while we are refreshed with these pledges of 
 thy love, O enable us cheerfully to yield up ourselves to 
 thy service ; and to glorify thee with our bodies, and our 
 spirits which are thine.] 
 
 O God of the spirits of all flesh, we beseech thee to 
 bless all that wait upon thee in thy house this day, and 
 adapt thy mercies to their several wants. Clothe thy 
 word with power, and make it effectual to the subduing 
 of many hearts to the obedience of Christ. Awaken the 
 careless, — humble the proud, — comfort the afflicted, — 
 strengthen the weak, — give to them that mourn in Zion, 
 beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the gar- 
 ment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. 
 
 Bless all thy ministering servants, and especially those 
 who labour amongst, us in the word and doctrines which 
 thou hast revealed for our instruction. May they go 
 forth in the fulness of the blessing of the Gospel of peace ; 
 and, being sensible of the important charge committed to 
 them, may they be instant in season, and out of season, 
 
 * This paragraph should only be read when any of the family in- 
 tend to receive the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper. 
 
80 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 showing the people their transgressions, and making 
 known the mystery of the glorious Gospel of God our Sa- 
 viour. — O let thine almighty power be manifested, and 
 let thy truth have free course and be glorified. 
 
 Accept these our prayers and supplications, we humbly 
 beseech thee, through Jesus Christ our Mediator and Ad- 
 vocate, to whom w r ith thee, O Heavenly Father, and thee, 
 O Eternal Spirit, the Comforter and Sanctifier of the 
 Church of God, we desire to unite with angels, and the 
 spirits of just men made perfect, in ascribing all might, 
 majesty and praise, for ever and ever. Amen. 
 
 SUNDAY EVENING. Swete 
 
 Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who humblest 
 thyself to listen to the adorations of the heavenly hosts 
 above ; how great is thy condescension in regarding the 
 feeble thanksgivings and supplications of sinful mortals ! 
 But thy ways are not as our ways, neither are thy thoughts 
 as our thoughts. Thou hast, of thine infinite goodness, 
 made known unto us the mysteries of thy grace. Thou 
 hast revealed thyself as delighting in mercy, and being 
 glorified in the salvation of sinners through Jesus Christ 
 our Lord. Enable us to take shelter in this thine ap 
 pointed refuge ; and finding pardon and acceptance with 
 thee, may our evening sacrifice of prayer and praise 
 ascend up before thee, perfumed with the incense of his 
 merits, and be heard, accepted, and answered by thee. 
 
 We bless thy name for having placed our dwelling 
 where the bright beams of thy glorious gospel shine forth, 
 — and for the many seasons and means of grace which 
 thou hast afforded us, — and especially for the opportuni- 
 ties we have enjoyed this day of waiting upon thee in the 
 ordinances of thine own appointment. But. alas! O Lord, 
 the review of even this day fills us with shame and con- 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 81 
 
 fusion of face ; for what coldness of affection, what wan- 
 dering of thought, what want of reverence, of love, and 
 of gratitude, have we betrayed in all our religious ser- 
 vices ! Surely, we are altogether unprofitable servants. 
 
 But we desire now to cast ourselves at thy footstool, 
 beseeching thee, O Lord, for Christ's sake, to pardon all 
 our iniquity, yea the iniquity of our holy things. Wash 
 us in the fountain of his atoning blood, — clothe us with 
 the robe of his justifying righteousness, — and sanctify our 
 hearts by the purifying grace of his Spirit. O shine upon 
 us, and give us clearer views of the truth as it is in Jesus. 
 And may it influence our tempers and dispositions, our 
 life and conduct, that in all things we may adorn the 
 doctrine of God our Saviour. 
 
 Gracious God, let not the word of thy truth which we 
 have heard this day with our outward ears, return unto 
 thee void. Enlighten our understandings, and open our 
 hearts to receive it in love and in power. 
 
 Grant that we may not only " read and mark" but also 
 " learn and inwardly digest" those Holy Scriptures which 
 are able to make us wise unto salvation, through faith 
 which is in Christ Jesus. O Lord, bless us with all 
 spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus. Make known unto us 
 his power and glory, and may we find in Him all our 
 fresh springs of grace and strength, of consolation and 
 
 joy- 
 Blessed Lord, hear the prayers which have been of- 
 fered up this day for all sorts and conditions of men. To 
 thee the secrets of their hearts are open, and thou know- 
 est their several characters and wants; strengthen the 
 weak, — comfort the afflicted, — instruct the ignorant, — 
 take away the heart of stone, — and cause the impenitent 
 sinner to cry for mercy. Inspire continually thy univer- 
 sal church with the spirit of truth, unity, and concord. 
 Bless the labours of thy ministering servants. May the 
 
82 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 seed which they have sown, bring forth fruit to the praise 
 and glory of thy grace. And O let thy ways be known 
 upon earth, thy saving health among all nations ; let both 
 Jews and Gentiles be gathered into the Redeemer's king- 
 dom, and let every one that nameth the name of Christ 
 depart from all iniquity. 
 
 We now commit ourselves into thy care and fatherly 
 protection. Watch over us during the dark and silent 
 hours of the night, and refresh our wearied bodies with 
 sleep ; and if it be consistent with thy good pleasure, raise 
 us up in health and safety to enjoy the light of another day. 
 O Lord, establish thy kingdom of righteousness, peace, 
 and joy in the Holy Ghost, within our hearts. Water 
 our souls w 7 ith the dew of thy blessing, that w r e may 
 grow in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and be en- 
 abled to hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to 
 the end. 
 
 Blessed be the Lord our God, the God of Israel, who 
 only doeth wondrous things : and blessed be thy glorious 
 name for ever, and let the whole earth be filled w T ith thy 
 glory. Amen, and Amen. 
 
 MONDAY MORNING. Swete. 
 
 O Almighty and most merciful God, thou art tho inex- 
 haustible fountain of wisdom, of truth, and of mercy ! 
 Grant us thy Holy Spirit, that w T e may draw nigh unto 
 thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord, and praise our God 
 while we have our being. 
 
 It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to 
 sing praises unto thy name, O most High : to show forth 
 thy loving kindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness 
 every night. Day after day presents fresh instances of thy 
 tender compassion towards us. We have been protected 
 by thee during the last night; we have been refreshed 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 83 
 
 with comfortable sleep, and are now permitted, with the 
 renewed gift of life, and health, to behold the light of an- 
 other morning sun, and to spread before thy mercy-seat 
 all our wants and desires. Bless the Lord, O our souls, 
 and all that is within bless his holy name ! 
 
 But how should we venture into thy awful presence, 
 and take thy sacred name upon our lips ! We are guilty, 
 corrupt, and helpless creatures. Our souls cleave unto 
 the dust, and even our secret sins which are unknown to 
 others, and which our own deceitful hearts excuse or 
 make light of, are all seen by thee, and expose us to thy 
 anger and condemnation. But for ever adored be thy 
 name ! Mercy rejoiceth against judgment, and through 
 the atoning sacrifice and perfect righteousness of the 
 Lord Jesus Christ, thou art reconciled to all who come 
 unto thee in this thy appointed way ! There is redemp- 
 tion through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins, ac- 
 cording to the riches of thy grace. 
 
 O Lord, enable us to flee for refuge to this hope that is 
 set before us in Christ Jesus ; help us to feel our need of 
 him, and to discern the all-sufficiency of his salvation 
 And as thou hast, with thy holy arm, exalted thy beloved 
 Son to be a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance 
 and forgiveness of sins, we would implore from his grace 
 that repentance which is not to be repented of — that true 
 conviction of sin — that genuine sorrow and contrition of 
 heart, which proceed from a sense of redeeming love — 
 and that pardon which he bestows, that we may forsake 
 sin, and every thing that is contrary to thy holy word. 
 O give us broken and contrite hearts, and come and dwell 
 in us, according to thy promise. Though we have been 
 afar off from thee, our God, yet we w r ould draw nigh to 
 thee by the blood of Christ. May we no longer be stran- 
 gers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints and 
 with the household of God. Arm us with the armour of 
 
8 * FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 righteousness on the right hand, and on the left. Enable 
 us to fight the good fight of faith, to resist all our spirit- 
 ual enemies, to overcome our numerous temptations, to 
 mortify our sinful habits, and to abound in all the graces 
 of the Christian life. 
 
 We now commend to thy protection and mercy, our 
 dear relatives and friends. May thy grace and peace be 
 with them. Bless all who love the Lord Jesus in sincerity. 
 Strengthen the weak in faith. Comfort the afflicted in 
 body or mind. Enable them to look unto Him who bore 
 their griefs, and carried their sorrows. Bring home to 
 thy fold such as still wander from thy ways, that they 
 rnay attend to the things which belong to their peace, be- 
 fore they be for ever hidden from their eyes. Bless the 
 ministers of thy everlasting Gospel. Make them zealous 
 for thy glory, and the happy instruments of turning many 
 to righteousness. Bless the President of the United States, 
 and all inferior magistrates whom thy providence has set 
 over us. Direct all their measures to the maintenance 
 of peace, the furtherance of divine truth, and the advance- 
 ment of the Redeemer's glory, both at home and among 
 the nations- of the earth. And O enlarge and purify thy 
 Church throughout all its borders. May false religion, 
 superstition, and self-righteousness, perish at thy feet, and 
 may the knowledge of the Lord cover the earth as the 
 waters cover the sea. 
 
 Accept in mercy, O Heavenly Father, these our sup- 
 plications and prayers. Send down an answer of peace, 
 and do for us exceeding abundantly above all that we 
 can ask or think, through Jesus Christ, our High Priest 
 and Advocate, — to whom with thee, O Heavenly Father, 
 and thee, O Eternal Spirit, one GOD in three Persons, 
 the God of our salvation, be glory and honour from all 
 creatures in heaven and on earth, now and for evermore. 
 Amen. 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 85 
 
 MONDAY EVENING. Swete. 
 
 O thou infinitely glorious and merciful Lord God, thou 
 art worthy to receive glory, honour, and power from all 
 thy creatures, for thou hast created all things, and for thy 
 pleasure they are, and were created. We would close 
 this day with the solemn acts of self-abasement and hu- 
 miliation of soul, which our great sinfulness requires. 
 
 O Lord, when we examine into our own hearts and 
 lives, how ill do we appear to requite thy love ! Alas ! 
 the crown is indeed fallen from our heads, for we are 
 sinners both by nature and by practice. We have erred, 
 and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep, and have pre- 
 ferred the vanities and follies of this transitory world, to 
 thy favour. Yea, even since the blessings of salvation, 
 through our crucified Redeemer, have been set before us, 
 how often have we made light of them, and given way 
 to an evil heart of unbelief! — how often have we abused 
 the mercy which we still implore, and forsaken the foun- 
 tain of living waters, in order to seek happiness from the 
 broken cisterns of earthly enjoyments and possessions ! 
 
 Surely it is of thy mercies that we are not consumed, 
 because thy compassions fail not ! Thou art still the un- 
 changeable God, the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever. 
 Thou hast set no bounds to thy mercy, but dost magnify 
 the freeness and fulness of thy grace, by never rejecting 
 the contrite sighs, nor denying the humble requests of those 
 who call upon thee through the merits of thy dear Son. — 
 O Lord, for his sake, we again implore thy pardoning 
 grace. Thou knowest onr iniquities, for they are not hid 
 from thee. Remember them not against us, but accord- 
 ing to thy mercy in Christ Jesus, remember thou us, O 
 Lord. Wash away our guilt in the fountain that is open- 
 ed in his precious blood. Cover us with the robe of his 
 
 8 
 
86 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 justifying righteousness, and sanctify us by the purifying 
 influences of his holy spirit. So that being washed, and 
 justified, and sanctified in the name of the Lord Jesus, 
 and by the Spirit of our God, we may have comfortable 
 evidence that thou hast adopted us into thy family, and 
 bestowed upon us the glorious privileges of thy children. 
 
 Gracious God ! we have from sad experience, great 
 cause to lament our departure from thee, and our insuf- 
 ficiency to help ourselves. We require thy support, and 
 thy guidance in all time of our wealth and prosperity, as 
 well as in every hour of sorrow and temptation. Leave 
 us not to our own deceitful hearts. Quicken our souls 
 which cleave to the dust. Renew them after thine own 
 image. And may thy glory be the great object and aim 
 of our souls. O that we may be kept in holy communion 
 and fellowship with thee, and have some foretaste of that 
 blessedness which is to be enjoyed hereafter around the 
 throne of the Lamb. 
 
 Into thy hands, O Heavenly Father, we now commend 
 ourselves, and all our personal and relative interests this 
 night. Thou art the keeper of Israel, who neither slum- 
 berest nor sleepest. May we lay ourselves down in peace 
 and take our rest, remembering that it is thou alone that 
 makest us to dwell in safety. And should we be in mercy 
 permitted to see another day, may we grow in the grace, 
 and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus 
 Christ. Every mercy we ask for his sake, who, in com- 
 passion to our infirmities, hath taught us thus to pray, 
 Our Father which art in heaven, fyc. 
 
 TUESDAY MORNING. Sicete. 
 
 Most holy, blessed, and glorious Lord God, in w r hom 
 we live, and move, and have our being ! How great is 
 thy condescension and grace, that thou shouldst look 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 87 
 
 down with loving kindness and compassion upon the chil- 
 dren of men, and shouldst even deign to dwell with those 
 who are of an humble and contrite spirit. O God, enable 
 us to approach thee with unfeigned humility and contri- 
 tion of heart, — truly sensible of our weakness and insuffi- 
 ciency, — and pleading the atoning sacrifice of the Lord 
 Jesus Christ, which alone can speak mercy, pardon, and 
 peace to our guilty souls. 
 
 O Lord, thou knowest our wants and our miseries. We 
 can do nothing good of ourselves, nor can we sufficiently 
 lament the corruption that fills our hearts. Show us thy 
 mercy, O Lord, and grant us thy salvation. Turn us, 
 and so shall we be turned. Draw our hearts with the 
 cords of thy love, and then we shall run after thee. Ex- 
 hibit before us the grace and glory which are in the Lord 
 Jesus Christ, and are communicated through him to all 
 that believe on his name. O grant that, confiding in him 
 as the Lord our righteousness, we may find real peace 
 and joy of soul, even that joy which is unspeakable and 
 full of ^lory. 
 
 And as by the sacrifice of thy beloved Son on the cross, 
 thou hast manifested thine utter hatred of sin, and thy 
 love of holiness, help us, O God of our salvation, to ab- 
 hor that which is evil, and to cleave to that which is good. 
 Subdue every rebellious thought that is within us. Mortify 
 every sinful inclination. Shed abroad in our hearts the 
 love of Clirist, by the Holy Ghost being given unto us, 
 and clothe us with the spirit of humility, love, and self- 
 denial. Suffer us not, O Lord, to set our affections inor- 
 dinately upon any created good. May we always recol- 
 lect that every earthly enjoyment is transitory and unsat- 
 isfying, — that this is not our place of rest, — and that we 
 are seeking a city which is eternal in the heavens, whose 
 builder and maker is God ; — and having our hope fixed 
 
88 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 on the Lord Jesus Christ, may we purify ourselves even 
 as thou art pure. 
 
 O God of the spirits of all flesh, hear our prayers in 
 behalf of all sorts and conditions of men. Endue those 
 whom thy providence has set over us, with the grace of 
 thy Holy Spirit, that they may always incline to thy will, 
 and walk in thy way. Take under thy fatherly care, all 
 who are afflicted in mind, body, or estate. In the painful 
 visitations of thy providence, may they hear thy still small 
 voice of love and mercy, speaking peace to their souls, 
 and leading them to the consideration of those things that 
 belong to their everlasting peace. 
 
 O thou great head of the Church, enlarge the borders 
 of thy kingdom. Make thy ways known upon earth, thy 
 saving health among all nations. Be gracious to thy peo- 
 ple Israel. Cause them to look to Him whom their fathers 
 have pierced, and to mourn with godly sorrow. Hasten 
 the time when heathen abominations shall cease, and when 
 the fulness of the Gentiles shall be brought in. Especially 
 vouchsafe thy presence with that part of the Church of 
 Christ which has been planted in this country. Watei 
 it with the dew of thy blessing, that those who bear thy 
 name, may not be unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord 
 and Saviour Jesus Christ. Enable thy people to walk in 
 wisdom and prudence toward those that are without ; and 
 to be kindly affectionate one to another, bearing each 
 other's burdens, and forgiving one another, as God for 
 Christ's sake hath forgiven them. 
 
 But while we are imploring these blessings upon the 
 church at large, O Lord, let none of us who are now 
 assembled before thee deceive ourselves. Enable us sin- 
 cerely to examine ourselves whether we be in the faith, 
 and whether our faith worketh by love, and overcometh 
 the world. Leave us not under any delusion on these 
 momentous points ; and let thy Holy Spirit establish and 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 89 
 
 carry on the work of grace in our souls. May we thus 
 be living members of the church militant on earth, and 
 be trained up for the church triumphant in heaven. 
 
 Hear these our prayers and supplications for thy mer- 
 cy's sake, and enable us to begin on earth our eternal 
 song, by ascribing blessing, and honour, and glory, and 
 power unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the 
 Lamb for ever and ever. Amen. 
 
 TUESDAY EVENING. Swele. 
 
 O thou incomprehensible Lord God, to whose sight all 
 things are naked and open, and who knowest the state 
 and character of every individual before thee ; let not any 
 of us approach thee with our lips, while our hearts are 
 estranged from thy grace and love ; but enable us, under 
 a deep conviction of our own guilt and helplessness, to 
 draw nigh unto thee in faith and hope, pleading the meri- 
 torious name and perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ 
 our Lord, who ever liveth to make intercession for us. 
 
 Without this way of access into thy presence, we could 
 not presume to lift up our eyes unto thee. We must have 
 been cast off for ever, and bound in chains of eternal 
 darkness. But, gracious God, encouraged by the reve- 
 lation of mercy in Christ, we desire now to humble our- 
 selves at thy feet with contrition and self-abasement, and 
 to take shelter in him, acknowledging that there is salva- 
 tion in no other. 
 
 O thou Holy Spirit, whose office it is to glorify Jesus, 
 by taking the things which are his, and revealing them to 
 the hearts of thy people ; help us not only to discern his 
 personal glory, and to confess before men that he is our 
 Lord and our God ; but likewise his mediatorial fulness, 
 who was made sin for us, that we might be made the 
 righteousness of God in him. Help us cordially to resign 
 
 8* 
 
90 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 ourselves to his gracious authority and wise dispensations, 
 making him the sole object of our faith and hope, of our 
 love and joy ; and yielding ourselves to the guidance of 
 his word and providence. Let him be the first object of 
 our thoughts in the morning, and the last at night, that 
 so, by looking unto Jesus from day to day, and by walk- 
 ing in his footsteps, we may be changed into the same 
 image, from glory to glory, as by the Spirit of the Lord. 
 
 Blessed be thy name, O God, for the rich treasures of thy 
 word, and for the exceeding great and precious promises 
 w T ith which it abounds. Enable us to believe them, and 
 to w T ait with patience for their accomplishment through 
 Christ Jesus, in whom they are all Yea and Amen. And, 
 O God the Spirit, by whose divine inspiration the Holy 
 Scriptures were written, teach us to know thy mind 
 therein, and to have a right judgment of every part of 
 thy blessed word. May we make it the subject of our 
 daily study, and do thou render it our constant delight; 
 gladden our hearts with a full discovery of thy grace, 
 and grant that we may daily become more obedient to its 
 sacred precepts, more humble, more heavenly-minded, 
 more self-denying, till in heart and life we are altogether 
 conformed to thine image. 
 
 Look down, O Lord, in mercy upon thy whole church ; 
 may it be established, strengthened, and settled in the 
 faith of the everlasting gospel. Carry on the work of 
 thy grace among the children of men. Let such as shall 
 be saved be added daily to thy church. Send forth the glad 
 tidings of great joy to Heathen and Mahometan lands. 
 Regard in mercy thy own ancient people Israel. And 
 hasten the time when the wilderness shall be turned into 
 the garden of the Lord, and w T hen all flesh shall see the 
 salvation of our God. 
 
 And now, O heavenly Father, while we bless thee foi 
 all the mercies of the past day, we beseech thee to renew 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 91 
 
 thy mercies to us, and to spread thy protecting wings 
 around us, during the dark and silent hours of the night. 
 And should it please thee to raise us up in health and 
 safety, to see the light of another day, lift up also the 
 light of thy countenance upon us, that we may walk be- 
 fore the Lord in the light of the living. Hear these our 
 imperfect petitions, which we offer through the prevailing 
 merits of Jesus Christ. For his sake, take away all our 
 iniquity, receive us graciously, love us freely, and sancti- 
 fy us wholly : and unto thy name, Father, Son, and Spirit, 
 the Triune Jehovah, be ascribed everlasting praise. 
 Amen. 
 
 WEDNESDAY MORNING. Steele. 
 
 O Lord God Almighty, who art, and wast, and art to 
 come, thy name is most holy, and thy glory reacheth 
 above the heavens. Wherewith shall we come before 
 thee and bow ourselves in thy sacred presence. We 
 adore thee, that through thy beloved Son thou hast open- 
 ed the way to the throne of grace, and hast declared thy- 
 self to be rich in mercy to all that call upon thee in truth. 
 In Him all thine attributes harmonize ; by Him thy law is 
 magnified and made honourable, and thy justice is satis- 
 fied; and through Him thy mercy flows down upon a 
 guilty world ! 
 
 Great and glorious God, we are individually and 
 unitedly bound to give thee our fervent thanks, because 
 thy hands have made us ; — thy power preserves us, — and 
 thou givest us all things richly to enjoy. It is of thy good- 
 ness that we have not spent a wearisome night, full of 
 tossings to and fro until the dawning of the day; yea, it 
 is because thou hast sustained us, that we have not slept 
 the sleep of death. Thou hast lightened our eyes again, 
 and hast caused the out-goings of the morning, as well 
 as of the evening, to rejoice over us. We adore thee, O 
 
92 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 God, for thy goodness, wisdom, and power, displayed in 
 our creation. We adore thee that in the time of danger, 
 thou hast been our shield and our defence against the 
 multiplied evils and calamities, in which many others 
 have been involved. But in an especial manner we adore 
 thee for thy unspeakable mercy, and everlasting love 
 displayed in sending thy beloved Sox, to be a propitiation 
 for our sins, and that thou hast made peace through 
 the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile sinners unto 
 thyself. 
 
 Merciful Father, make us sensible that we are not 
 worthy of the least of thy mercies, and grateful that thy 
 loving kindness is ever more and more towards us. Help 
 us to own thy providence in all our concerns — and to 
 bless the hand that smites us in all the afflictions and 
 trials of this mortal life. May we trace up all our streams 
 of earthly and spiritual comfort, to the fountain of eter- 
 nal love in Christ Jesus. 
 
 O thou Holy Spirit, whose office it is to take of the 
 things of Christ, and show them with power to our souls, 
 discover to us more and more of the all-sufficiency of 
 the Lord Jesus, and of the endearing offices and relations 
 which he sustains towards his people. 
 
 May we know him as our life and peace, our wisdom 
 and righteousness, our sanctification and redemption, our 
 refuge and the rock of our strength. 
 
 Blessed Lord, put thy fear into our hearts ; give us un- 
 derstanding to know thy will in all things, and grace to 
 perform the same. Enable us to gain the victory over 
 our besetting sins. Wean our affections from the things 
 of time and sense. Put the world, the flesh, and the 
 devil under our feet. And enable us to glorify thee with 
 our bodies, our souls, and our spirits, which are thine. 
 Help us to reflect that we are not redeemed with cor- 
 ruptible things, such as silver and gold, but with the pre 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 93 
 
 cious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without spot and 
 blemish. May our walk and conduct prove that we are 
 his true disciples ; may we walk in his steps, and run with 
 enlarged hearts in the way of his commandments. 
 
 We now make our supplications unto thee, O Lord, in 
 behalf of our dear relations and friends. May they all 
 be dear to thee. Have mercy on those who are alienated 
 from thee, through the ignorance that is in them, and 
 who neither see nor feel the guilt and corruption of their 
 nature. Enlighten their dark minds, and make them 
 wise unto salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Be 
 gracious also to those who have received a good hope 
 through thy grace ; establish their faith, animate their 
 hope, increase their love, and fix their affections surely 
 there, where true joys are to be found. And while the 
 door of mercy is yet open, cause sinners of every de- 
 scription to flee to him who delivereth from the wrath to 
 come. O Lord, let the word of thy truth have free course 
 and be glorified ; let the borders of thy church be en- 
 larged ; and let every tongue, and kindred, and people, 
 unite in praising the God of their salvation. 
 
 Hear us, O Heavenly Father, for the sake of Him who 
 hath loved and redeemed us, even the Lord our Right- 
 eousness ; to whom, with thee, and the Holy Spirit, our 
 guide and comforter, be ascribed the kingdom, and the 
 power, and the glory, now and for evermore. Amen. 
 
 WEDNESDAY EVENING. Steele. 
 
 O Blessed God, who lookest down with compassion 
 and tender mercy upon sinners, who prostrate themselves 
 before the footstool of thy grace, in the name of Jesus 
 Christ our Saviour, dispose us to direct our prayer unto 
 thee, and to look up for thy blessing. 4 
 
94 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 Praised be thy name for all the dispensations of thy 
 providence, and the suitable provision which thou makest 
 day after day, for the supply of all our temporal wants. 
 But, above all, praised be thy name, that though we are 
 guilty and depraved creatures, thou hast not shut us up 
 in despair, but hast sent to us thy glorious gospel, in 
 which thou hast brought life and immortality to light, arid 
 hast encouraged us to enter into thine immediate presence 
 by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which 
 he has consecrated for us, through the rent veil of his 
 crucified body. 
 
 We come before thee, pleading his merits and right- 
 eousness for our acceptance at the throne of grace, and 
 we pray that the life we now live in the flesh, may daily 
 be by the faith of the Son of God, who loved us and 
 gave himself for us. May we be assimilated to his di- 
 vine image ; and as he who hath called us is holy, so 
 may we be holy in all manner of conversation. Clothe 
 us with humility ; may we sit continually at the feet of 
 the blessed Jesus, that we may be taught by him the 
 things pertaining to the kingdom of God. Though we 
 have not seen him with our bodily eyes, yet we may love 
 him with pure hearts fervently ; and though now we see 
 him not, yet believing, may we rejoice with joy unspeak- 
 able and full of glory. Create in us clean hearts, O God, 
 and give to each of us the ornament of a meek and 
 quiet spirit, which in thy sight is of great price. De- 
 liver us from the love of this present evil world, and 
 make us ever to remember the awful declaration, that 
 " if any man love the world, the love of the Father is 
 not in him." Cast down every high imagination within 
 us, that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and 
 bring into captivity all our thoughts to the obedience of 
 Christ. May we be constrained by discoveries of his 
 boundless love, cheerfully to present our bodies a living 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 95 
 
 sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto thee, which is our 
 reasonable service. May we indeed prove to those around 
 us, that we are the followers of the Lamb, that we have 
 partaken of his Spirit, and that the genuine fruits of it 
 are shining forth in our tempers, our actions, and our 
 whole conversation. 
 
 Help us, O our God, in whatsoever state we are 
 placed, therewith to be content. If in poverty, enable 
 us to look to him, who for our sakes became poor, that 
 we through his poverty, might be rich. If mourning un- 
 der a sense of sin, guide us to the fountain that is opened 
 for all sin and uncleanness. If our hearts are under the 
 influence of corruption, supply us with that grace which 
 is all-sufficient for us. If tempted or assaulted by Satan, 
 enable us to seek help of him, who can make us more 
 than conquerors over all the powers of darkness. If ex- 
 posed to the persecutions of an ungodly world, teach us 
 to look to him who endured the contradiction of sinners 
 against himself, and who hath said for our comfort — "Be 
 of good cheer, I have overcome the world !" And in 
 every condition of life, keep us looking unto Jesus our 
 compassionate High Priest, who is ever touched with a 
 feeling of the infirmities of his people, and will not suf- 
 fer them to be tempted above what they are able to 
 bear. 
 
 Merciful God, we bless thee for the mercies of the past 
 day. How many comforts and advantages do we enjoy 
 which are denied to others ! Not only have we health 
 and strength, and all things needful for the support of our 
 bodies, but thou dost exercise the tenderest forbearance 
 towards us in still sparing us, and setting before us the 
 rich blessings of thy grace. Manifest, we pray thee, thy 
 redeeming love to our souls, and comfort us with the joy 
 of thy salvation. O Lord, what shall we render unto 
 
96 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 thee for all thy benefits to us ] We will take the cup of 
 salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord. 
 
 We commend to thy merciful protection, our bodies 
 and souls this night Sleeping or waking, living or dying, 
 we would be thine. 
 
 Lord, keep us and all who are near and dear to us, 
 from every danger, and surround us by thy power, so 
 that no evil may happen us. Impart all those bless- 
 ings which we have been asking for ourselves, to our 
 friends and relations, and may they and we receive, 
 from time to time, all needful direction, strength and 
 consolation, out of the fulness of that grace which is 
 treasured up in Jesus Christ, in whose name and words 
 we sum up all our petitions, saying, 
 
 Our Father which art in heaven, fyc. 
 
 THURSDAY MORNING. Swete. 
 
 O Eternal and unchangeable Jehovah, who dwellest in 
 light which no mortal eye can behold, and dost from thy 
 sanctuary look down on the things that are in heaven and 
 earth ; — we adore thee that thou hast, in the riches of thy 
 grace, opened a new and living way, whereby sinners 
 may draw nigh to thee, and find thee to be a just God, 
 and yet a Saviour, able and willing to save to the 
 uttermost, all who come unto thee through thy incar- 
 nate Son. 
 
 O God, when we contemplate thine infinite holiness 
 and purity, and our own sinfulness and depravity, w r e 
 have reason to loathe and abhor ourselves, and to repent 
 in dust and ashes. O Lord, our heavenly Father, we 
 mourn over and bewail at thy footstool, those sins which 
 we, from time to time, have committed by thought, word, 
 and deed, against thy divine majesty. 
 
 But to thee belong mercies and forgivenesses, though 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 97 
 
 we have sinned and rebelled against thee. We bless thee, 
 that the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sins ; 
 that he has made reconciliation for iniquity, and has 
 brought in everlasting righteousness ; and that thy word 
 which cannot err, declares, that " whosoever believeth in 
 him shall not perish, but have everlasting life;" — that 
 "though our sins be as scarlet, they shall be made as 
 white as snow ; though they be red like crimson, they 
 shall be as wool !" 
 
 O Lamb of God, who takest away the sin of the 
 world, cleanse us from our sins by thy most precious 
 blood, and clothe us in the spotless robe of thy righteous- 
 ness, that being justified and accepted by thy merits, we 
 may have joy and peace in believing. 
 
 O holy and eternal Spirit, enable us, by our life and 
 conversation, to adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour 
 in all things. May we prove to those around us that we 
 are the children of light; that we are sitting for instruc- 
 tion at the feet of the Lord Jesus, that we have received 
 his precepts, are influenced by his grace, are following 
 his example, and are pressing forward to his kingdom. 
 Preserve us from imbibing the spirit and temper of those 
 who fear not thee ; but do thou increase within us the 
 faith, the fear, and the love of thy holy name. Suffer us 
 not to place our security in an arm of flesh, but teach us 
 ever to look for it where alone it is to be found, in the 
 Lord Jesus Christ. Grant that being united to him by a 
 living faith, we may obtain victory over the corruption 
 of our hearts, the temptations of Satan, and the sinful 
 cares and allurements of the world. Let the language 
 of our hearts ever be — " Behold God is our salvation, we 
 will trust and not be afraid, for the Lord Jehovah is 
 our strength and our song, he is also become our sal- 
 vation !" 
 
 Into thy hands we commend ourselves, and all that 
 
 9 
 
98 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 belong to us this day. We are short-sighted creatures, 
 and therefore know not what it may bring forth. Keep 
 us under the shadow of thine almighty wings. Guide 
 and direct us continually by thy counsel, until thou hast 
 brought us to thy glory. 
 
 O Lord, we now lift up our voices with thanksgivings 
 to thee, for the multiplied favours both of providence and 
 grace, which thou hast heaped on our undeserving heads. 
 We bless thee for our creation, preservation, and all the 
 other blessings of this life, which thou hast given us rich- 
 ly to enjoy ; but above all, we praise thee for the gift of 
 thy Son, — for the word of thy gospel, — for the promise 
 of thy Spirit, — for the means of grace, — and for the hope 
 of glory. O Lord, help us to show forth our gratitude, 
 not merely with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up 
 ourselves to thy service, and by bringing forth the fruits 
 of righteousness and holiness, which are by Jesus Christ, 
 to the praise of the glory of thy grace. Hear us, heavenly 
 Father, and whilst thou hearest, have mercy on us. Par- 
 don the iniquity of our holy offerings, and in all things 
 enable us with the Psalmist to say, — "Not unto us, O 
 Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name, give glory, for thy 
 loving mercy and thy truth's sake." 
 
 Now to God the Father, God the Son, and God the 
 Holy Ghost, the glorious unchangeable, and eternal Jeho- 
 vah, be ascribed by us on earth, as by angels and glori- 
 fied saints in heaven, everlasting praise ! Amen, 
 
 THURSDAY EVENING. Suete. 
 
 O blessed Lord, thou art slow to anger, abundant in 
 goodness and truth, and thy mercy endureth for ever ; 
 assist us by thy Holy Spirit, to draw nigh to thy mercy 
 seat with humility and reverence ; that we may lay be- 
 fore thee our wants, and praise thy glorious name for thy 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 99 
 
 unceasing favours to us, both of a temporal and spiritual 
 nature. 
 
 Great God, the remembrance of our manifold trans- 
 gressions against thee, makes us dread to approach thy 
 divine majesty. Thou art the eternal Jehovah, who art 
 of purer eyes than to look upon iniquity ; whereas we 
 are sinful dust and ashes. If thou shouldst enter into 
 judgment with us, we could not answer thee for one action 
 out of a thousand, but should be forced to lay our hands 
 upon our mouths, and cry out ; " Woe unto us, for we 
 are undone; because we are men of unclean lips, and 
 we dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips." 
 
 But thou art God, and not man, — thou changest not, 
 therefore are we not consumed. Thy ways are higher 
 than our ways, and thy thoughts than our thoughts, even 
 as the heavens are higher than the earth. Yea, great as 
 our sins and provocations have been, — greater, far great- 
 er is thy mercy in Christ Jesus ! Thou art a reconciled 
 father and friend to the very chief of sinners that cometh 
 unto thee through faith in his name, who has satisfied the 
 righteous demands of thy justice, — and has died to re- 
 deem us to God by his blood. 
 
 Merciful Lord, remove all our prejudices against the 
 truth as it is in Jesus ; enlighten our understandings, and 
 influence our hearts, that we may behold and admire the 
 freeness and the perfection of this great salvation. Clothe 
 us in the garments of the Redeemer's righteousness, and 
 enable us, in the endearing language of thine adopted 
 children, to call thee — our Father and our God. And O 
 that a constraining view of his boundless love, and of 
 the invaluable price that has purchased our salvation, 
 may cause us to surrender our hearts, our minds, our 
 bodies, our all, to the service of the Lord. May it be 
 seen that we are Christians not only in name but in re- 
 ality ; that we have not only the form of godliness, but 
 
100 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 its power also ; and that we have not only received the 
 doctrines, but are actuated by the precepts of the blessed 
 Jesus. Enable us to carry religion into all the domestic, 
 the social, and the public relations of life, that wherever 
 our sphere of duty extends, we may adorn the doctrine 
 of God our Saviour, by such a life and conversation as 
 become us. 
 
 O God of the spirits of all flesh, we supplicate thy 
 mercy in behalf of all mankind. Be graciously pleased 
 to bless and preserve the President of the United States ; 
 grant him, and all who are put in authority, grace to rule 
 with wisdom and justice, and to set an example of god- 
 liness and virtue to thy people. Look down in mercy 
 upon the whole state of thy holy church militant on 
 earth. May the standard of the cross be erected in all 
 lands, and may all nations and tongues flow unto it May 
 sinners, everywhere, lay down the arms of their rebel- 
 lion, and become good soldiers of Christ Jesus ; and may 
 all who name the name of Christ, depart from iniquity. 
 Heal the divisions of thy people ; kindle within them a 
 lively zeal for thy glory, and grant that they may unite 
 with one heart, as well as in one faith, to promote the 
 religion of our blessed Redeemer. 
 
 Almighty God, into thy protecting arms we commit 
 ourselves, and all that we have, this night. Thou hast 
 created the darkness for rest, as well as the light for labour. 
 Grant us quiet and refreshing repose, and let no harm 
 come nigh our dwelling. O may our sleep remind us of 
 the last sleep of death, and our beds, of the awful bed of 
 the grave to which we are hastening. May we be al- 
 ways ready, since we know not the day nor the hour, in 
 which the Son of Man cometh. O Lord, impress our 
 minds with a full conviction of the certainty of this aw- 
 ful event. May we be taught by the Holy Spirit, to know 
 the things that belong to our everlasting peace, that when 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 101 
 
 the hour of death arrives, we may, with a firm confidence 
 in thy faithfulness to thy promises, fall " asleep in Jesus," 
 looking forward to the morning of the resurrection, when 
 we shall awake in his likeness, and enter into the joy of 
 our Lord. Hear us, gracious Father, and send down an 
 answer of peace to these our supplications, for the sake 
 of thy beloved Son, Jesus Christ, whom with thee and 
 the eternal Spirit, we adore as the God of our salvation, 
 both now and for evermore. Amen. 
 
 FRIDAY MORNING. Swete. 
 
 Most blessed Lord, thou hast promised that whenever 
 two or three are gathered together in thy name, thou 
 wilt be in the midst of them. We plead this promise, 
 and beseech thee to deal with us according to thy mercy, 
 and to prepare our hearts by thy Holy Spirit, to worship 
 at thy footstool. 
 
 We presume not to come before thee, O Lord, trusting 
 in our own strength or righteousness. We are full of 
 weakness and sin ; our wisdom is earthly and sensual, — 
 our hearts are prone to evil, — and our very best actions 
 are stained with imperfection. But, merciful God, guilty, 
 weak, and helpless as we are, it is our comfort, yea, our 
 unspeakable joy, that with thee there is plenteous redemp- 
 tion ; and that thine arms are widely extended to receive 
 every returning penitent, who seeks for mercy in thine 
 appointed way. O may a view of the Cross fill our souls 
 with the sweetest comfort, and may we count all things 
 but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ 
 Jesus our Lord. May we, beholding by faith the suffer- 
 ings of the bleeding Lamb of God, mourn over and abhor 
 those sins which pierced him ; and reflecting upon his 
 amazing love in dying for the guilty, may we love nim 
 in sincerity, and be enabled with truth to say as thy peni- 
 
 9* 
 
102 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 tent apostle did, "Lord, thou knowest all things, thou 
 knowest that we love thee !" May we be conformed to 
 the image of our Redeemer in all things, — in his purity 
 and self-denial — his meekness and humility — his love to 
 man — and his submission to the Divine will. O Lord, 
 thou alone canst give us ability for these things — Thou 
 knowest whereof we are made, thou rememberest that 
 we are but dust. Let thy strength be made perfect in 
 our weakness ; and upheld by thy Spirit, may we be to 
 thee for a name and a praise among the people of the 
 earth. 
 
 O Father of mercies, we have abundant cause to glo- 
 rify thee for the many temporal, as well as spiritual bless- 
 ings which we enjoy. In thee we live, and move, and 
 have our being. Thou hast brought us through unseen 
 dangers, and preserved us to this day under the shadow 
 of thy almighty wings. And while some of our fellow- 
 creatures are languishing on the bed of sickness, afflicted 
 with pain and want, we enjoy health, and peace, and 
 plenty : — While others are breathing their last, perhaps 
 in the depths of despair, or in fatal ignorance of thy 
 blessed gospel, we are the monuments of thy forbearing 
 mercy, and thou dost continue to bless us with spiritual 
 blessings in Christ Jesus. O Lord, what shall we render 
 unto thee for all thy benefits? Enable us to show forth 
 our gratitude to thee, not merely with our lips, but also 
 in our lives, by bringing forth the fruits of righteousness, 
 which are by Jesus Christ, to the praise and glory of thy 
 grace. 
 
 O Lord, prepare us by every dispensation of thy provi- 
 dence and grace, for that awful day when we must all 
 stand before the judgment-seat of Christ. O help us *o 
 realize the scene, when the heavens shall be dissolved, 
 and the elements melt away with fervent heat, and when 
 the secrets of all hearts shall be opened ; — and seeing that 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 103 
 
 these things must come to pass, let us consider what man- 
 ner of persons we ought to be in all holy conversation 
 and godliness. May we give all diligence to make our 
 calling and election sure, and may our conversation be 
 in heaven, from whence also we look for the Saviour, the 
 Lord Jesus Christ ; who shall change our vile body, that 
 it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, accord 
 ing to the working, whereby he is able to subdue all things 
 to himself. 
 
 Hear us, O God of our Salvation, and do for us above 
 all that we can ask or think, for Christ's sake. Amen. 
 
 FRIDAY EVENING. Swete 
 
 O thou God of all grace and mercy, who hast so loved 
 this sinful world, that thou hast given thine only begotten 
 Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, 
 but have everlasting life ; enable us through him, to draw 
 nigh unto thy mercy seat with humble hope and filial 
 confidence, confessing to thee our guilt, spreading before 
 thee our wants, and praising thy name for all thy loving 
 kindness towards us. 
 
 O Almighty God, who resistest the proud, but givest 
 grace to the humble, humble us in our own sight. Strip 
 us of every thought that would exalt itself against thy rich 
 and sovereign grace. Discover to us our ow r n utter in- 
 sufficiency, and our innumerable instances of rebellion 
 against thee. O never let us try to dissemble or palliate 
 our guilt ; but bow down our hearts before thee in the 
 deepest self-abasement, that we may with humility, not 
 with feigned lips, confess " against thee, thee only have 
 we sinned, and done evil in thy sight ; have mercy upon 
 us, O God, according to thy loving kindness, according 
 to the multitude of thy tender mercies, blot out our trans- 
 gressions." 
 
104 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 Most gracious God, we adore thee, that though we are 
 cut off from all hope of acceptance with thee, on account 
 of any thing we have done or ever can do ; yet, that thou 
 wast in Christ reconciling the world unto thyself, not 
 imputing unto mankind their trespasses. Therefore, on 
 the crucified Jesus — that tried corner stone — that sure 
 foundation laid in Zion, we build all our hopes of accept- 
 ance with thee : for he is our merciful high priest, who 
 has presented the perfect sacrifice of himself upon the 
 cross, — he is our all-sufficient advocate, who perpetually 
 appears before thy throne on high, to make intercession for 
 us — he is the propitiation for our sins, and his blood speak- 
 eth mercy, pardon, and peace to the believing soul. O 
 Lord, let a sense of thy unspeakable love be shed abroad 
 in our hearts, by the Holy Ghost being given unto us; let 
 it call forth our gratitude and praise to thee, and con- 
 strain us to employ our time and talents, in promoting 
 the fear of thy name, and the knowledge of thy truth. 
 
 Enable us to exercise unfeigned love to the brethren, 
 and forbearance and patience under injuries towards all. 
 O set before us continually the example of the meek and 
 lowly Jesus, who was holy, harmless, undefiled and sepa- 
 rate from sinners. May we walk as he walked, and may 
 every god-like temper, which shone in him in all the ful- 
 ness of perfection, be manifested in our conduct. And thus 
 may we go on from strength to strength, till with all the 
 ransomed of the Lord, we at length appear before our 
 God in the heavenly Zion. 
 
 And now gracious Father, we commend to thy mercy 
 all who are united to us by the ties of kindred or friend- 
 ship. Be favourable to them, and not only protect, and 
 surround them with the mercies of thy providence, but 
 enrich them with the far greater mercies of thy covenant 
 love in Christ Jesus. Look on the face of thine anointed, 
 and for his sake visit them with thy salvation ; and O 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 105 
 
 Lord, in tender compassion stretch out thine arm to save 
 those whom thou knowest to be under the power of their 
 and thine enemies. Show them the dreadful precipice 
 on which they stand ; lead them by a way they know not, 
 and enable them to fly for refuge to the Saviour of sinners. 
 We pray thee to diffuse the light of thy glorious gospel 
 among the children of men throughout the whole world. 
 O Lord, hasten the time when all, from the least to the 
 greatest, shall know thee in truth ; and when the king- 
 doms of this world shall become the kingdoms of our Lord 
 and of his Christ, and when thou, O Jehovah, shalt reign 
 in the hearts of men for ever and ever. 
 
 Take us under thy protection this night : the darkness 
 is no darkness with thee, but the night is as clear as the 
 day. Refresh our wearied bodies with sweet sleep, and 
 if thou permittest us to see the light of another day, may 
 we live throughout it to the glory of thy name, and derive 
 from thee, who art the inexhaustible fountain of grace 
 and truth, such manifestations of the glory of the great 
 salvation which has been wrought out by thy incarnate 
 Son, as may encourage us to run with patience the race 
 which is set before us ; in his name and prevailing merits, 
 we further address thee as 
 
 Our Father which art in heaven, SfC. 
 
 SATURDAY MORNING. Sweie. 
 
 O ever blessed God, we draw nigh to thy mercy seat 
 this morning in prayer and supplication, with thanksgiv- 
 ing. But forasmuch as we are not sufficient of ourselves, 
 to think any thing good of ourselves, and as all our suffi- 
 ciency is of thee ; we beseech thee to look upon us in thy 
 beloved Son, and to enable us with humble confidence in 
 nis merits to approach thy throne of grace, that we may 
 
106 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 obtain mercy for the past, and grace to help in this and 
 every future time of need. 
 
 Heavenly Father, it becomes us to draw nigh to thee 
 with deep humility and contrition of heart, for, alas ! how 
 often have we broken thy precepts in thought, word, and 
 deed ; — how often have we abused our privileges and 
 wearied thy patience ; — yea, how often have we requited 
 thy richest favours with the basest ingratitude ! Surely 
 the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint, — we 
 have all come short of thy glory, and if thou shouldst 
 mark iniquities, who could stand ? But thy mercy is very 
 great. Through Jesus the Son of thy love, thou hast sent 
 redemption unto thy people ; thou hast commanded thy 
 covenant for ever : holy and reverend is thy name ! 
 
 -O gracious God, our hope is in thee, and in that love 
 which has redeemed us with so rich a price, even the 
 price of ImmanueFs blood. In him thou art a reconciled 
 Father to the very chief of sinners that believeth on his 
 name ; — in him thy promises are all Yea and Amen, thy 
 perfections are manifested and glorified, and through him 
 thy boundless mercy is revealed to sinful man! O Lord, 
 enable us continually to look to him as our only refuge, 
 hope, and consolation. 
 
 We beseech thee, O Lord our God, for his sake, not 
 only to remember our sins and our iniquities no more ; 
 but also to write thy laws on our hearts, and to enable us 
 to walk worthy of the high vocation wherewith we are 
 called. Conscious of our own weakness, we come to thee 
 for grace and strength, that we may prevail over our 
 many corruptions and the various trials and temptations 
 to which we are exposed. If thou art for us, who can 
 be against us ? Thou canst arm us with the sword of 
 the Spirit, and the shield of faith, and with these make us 
 to prove more than conquerors through him that hath 
 loved us. O strengthen us with might by thy Spirit, in 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 107 
 
 the inner man. Mortify all our evil propensities. Weaken 
 our attachment to the perishing enjoyments of this world. 
 Set our affections on things above. Endue us with hu- 
 mility ; and in every state wherein we may be placed, 
 teach us therewith to be content. 
 
 O thou God of grace ; we pray thee to vouchsafe thy 
 blessing to us, in the use of all the means of grace which 
 thou hast afforded us. When we hear thy gospel preach- 
 ed, or read thy holy word, may we never be actuated by 
 a self-sufficient and proud spirit, but may we receive with 
 meekness the engrafted word which is able to save our 
 souls. May it prove a light unto our feet, and a lamp 
 unto our path. Enable us to bring every thing to the law 
 and to the testimony, that thereby we may obtain a deeper 
 view of our own alienation from thee, and of the riches 
 of thy grace and glory, which are set before us in the 
 gospel of God our Saviour. 
 
 Take under thy protection and guidance, those for 
 whom we are in duty bound to pray. If any among them 
 are weak in faith and wavering, settle and strengthen 
 them ; — if any are afflicted and poor, comfort and enrich 
 them with the unsearchable riches of Christ ; — if any are 
 at a distance from thee, or halting between two opinions, 
 bring them nigh through the blood of the Cross, and enable 
 them to choose that good part which shall never be taken 
 away from them. And, O Lord, add daily to thy church 
 such as shall be saved. Send thy gospel to the dark places 
 of the earth. Clothe it with thy power, and hasten the 
 time when Jews and Gentiles shall be gathered into one 
 fold, under one shepherd, Jesus Christ the Lord. 
 
 And now, blessed God, we w T ould not rise from our 
 knees without offering to thee our tribute of gratitude for 
 all thy mercies and loving kindness to us; for thou art 
 the author and giver of every good thing. If our houses 
 have been filled with plenty, and our lives preserved in 
 
108 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 time of danger, it is all thy doing, for by thine arm we 
 were upheld. If we know the truth as it is in Jesus, and 
 have found acceptance in the beloved, it is thy grace, O 
 Lord, that made us willing in the day of thy power. If 
 we have been enabled to renounce the world, the flesh, 
 and the devil, and if our wandering feet have been kept 
 from the paths of sin, it is the same almighty grace which 
 has obtained for us the victory. Bless the Lord, O our 
 souls, and all that is within us, bless his holy name ; bless 
 the Lord, O our souls, and forget not all his benefits. 
 
 Vouchsafe to us, we pray thee, a continuance of thy 
 mercies. Carry on the good work which we trust thou 
 hast begun in our hearts, until the day of the Lord Jesus. 
 Then may we appear arrayed in w T hite robes, even in the 
 garments of our Redeemer's righteousness, and then may 
 w r e find an abundant entrance into thy kingdom of glory. 
 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly 
 above all that we ask or think, according to the power 
 that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church by 
 Christ Jesus, world without end. Amen. 
 
 SATURDAY EVENING. Swete. 
 
 O almighty God, who art exalted far above all the 
 blessing and praise which is offered to thee by the angels 
 above ; — how great is thy mercy in opening a way for 
 lost sinners to approach thee, and to spread their wants 
 before thy footstool. 
 
 Great God, we might justly have been left under thy 
 wrath for our ingratitude and rebellion, — having no way 
 to escape, had not thine own arm brought salvation! 
 Thou hast sent thine incarnate Son to seek and to save 
 the guilty, and thou hast revealed thyself in him as a just 
 God, and yet the justifier of the believer in Jesus ; — a just 
 God, and yet the Saviour of sinners. O Lord, save us, 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. * 109 
 
 we beseech thee ; — we fall as vile sinners at the footstool 
 of thy sovereign mercy, loathing ourselves in our own 
 sight, on account of our iniquities. We renounce all de- 
 pendence on any merits of our own. We plead thy pro- 
 mises, and offer before thee no other sacrifice or right- 
 eousness, but the all-sufficient sacrifice and spotless right- 
 eousness of thy beloved Son, in whom thou art ever well 
 pleased. 
 
 O thou Holy Spirit, whose province it is to convince 
 the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment, dis- 
 cover to us the pride of our nature, and the alienation of 
 our hearts from God. Take of the things of Christ and 
 exhibit them before us in all their fulness and sufficiency. 
 Cause us to renounce our own wisdom and righteousness, 
 and to be willing to receive pardon, and the hope of eter- 
 nal life, as the gift of free unmerited mercy, through Jesus 
 Christ our Lord. Create in us clean hearts, O God, and 
 renew right spirits within us. Subdue our corrupt desires, 
 and set our affections on heavenly things. 
 
 While passing through this wilderness, we would look 
 up to thee, day after day, as our heavenly shepherd. We 
 have often erred and strayed from thy fold, yet now again 
 we return to thee hungry and thirsty, weak and defence- 
 less, diseased and perishing, O may we hear thy voice 
 and follow thee, may we feed on thy precious promises, 
 — may we drink of the waters of life, — may we be sup- 
 ported by thy grace and enjoy thy favour. And if thou 
 seest it necessary to visit us with diseases, disappoint- 
 ments, or crosses of any kind, give us resignation and 
 submission to thy will. Make us to know that if we are 
 thy sheep we shall never perish, neither shall any pluck 
 us out of thy hands. If thou art for us, who can be 
 against us ? Yea, though we walk through the valley of 
 the shadow of death, we will fear no evil, for thy rod and 
 thy staff shall comfort us. Our hope is in thee alone, and 
 
 10 
 
110 > FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 therefore we trust that thy goodness and mercy shall fol- 
 low Us all the days of our lives, and that we shall dwell 
 in the house of the Lord for ever. 
 
 With humble and heartfelt thanks for the mercies of 
 the day that is past, we implore thy gracious protection 
 during the dark and silent watches of the night. O thou 
 keeper of Israel, who never slumberest nor sleepest, be 
 thou about our path and about our bed. Defend us from 
 all dangers, refresh our wearied bodies with sleep, and if 
 it should please thy almighty providence to raise us up 
 to behold the light of the returning sun, let us arise with 
 thankful hearts, remembering that the day is the Sabbath 
 of the Lord. O may our minds be solemnized, and may 
 we rejoice and be glad in the day which the Lord has 
 made. Be with all thy ministering servants on the mor- 
 row, and especially with him who ministers unto us. 
 May they go forth in the fulness of the blessing of the 
 gospel of peace, preaching peace through the blood of the 
 Cross ; and may the word of thy grace be as the rain that 
 watereth the earth, and maketh it to bring forth and bud ; 
 may it accomplish thy good pleasure, and prosper in the 
 thing whereto thou shalt send it. All these things we ask 
 for the sake, and through the intercession of our Lord and 
 Saviour Jesus Christ, to whom, in the unity of the Father 
 and the Holy Spirit, be ascribed all honour and glory, 
 now and for ever. Amen. 
 
 SECOND WEEK. 
 
 SUNDAY MORNING. Bickerstelh. 
 
 O Almighty God, Creator, Governor, and Upholder 
 of all things, who, after making the heaven and the earth, 
 didst rest the seventh day, and bless and sanctify it, teach 
 us now, resting from our worldly labours, to devote the 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. Ill 
 
 day to thy service. thou, whose Son did, as on this 
 day, rise again from the dead, grant us grace to rise from 
 the death of sin, to the life of righteousness. Help us 
 now, in his name, to seek thy blessing on those holy duties 
 to which the Sabbath is set apart. 
 
 We bless and praise thee for the appointment of this 
 day, and for all the means of grace which we enjoy in 
 this highly favoured land. We bless thee that our house 
 is open, that thy ministers have liberty to preach, and we 
 have opportunity and inclination to assemble with thy 
 people and hear thy holy word. 
 
 Above all, we thank thee for the knowledge of Jesus 
 Christ ; for free justification and salvation through his life, 
 death and resurrection. We praise thee for the gift of thy 
 Holy Spirit. Blessed, for ever blessed, be thou, the God 
 and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for all these thy 
 benefits. 
 
 Great have been thy mercies to us ; but with shame we 
 confess that we have slighted thy goodness, and carelessly 
 regarded thy great salvation. How many Sabbaths have 
 we broken ! how many invitations of mercy have we neg- 
 lected ! how many warnings and threatenings have we 
 trifled with ! how cold have been our prayers ! how great 
 our irreverence ! how inexcusable our unbelief! 
 
 Forgive us, O forgive us, all our negligences, and in- 
 firmities, and all our sins and iniquities. To the Lord 
 our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we 
 have rebelled against him. Return again and bless us. 
 Graciously be present with us, through all the solemn ser- 
 vices of this day. Enable us to go to thy house in the spirit 
 of prayer. Pour out upon us, and all that shall meet in 
 thy name, the spirit of grace and supplication. Let none 
 of us draw near to thee with our lips only, while our 
 hearts are far from thee ; but enable us to worship thee 
 in spirit and in truth. Cause thy face to shine upon us. 
 
112 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 Grant that we may find that the Lord is in his holy Tem- 
 ple, and be able to say, It was good for us to have been 
 there ! Prepare our hearts to receive thy holy word, 
 that it may be sown in good ground, and bring much 
 fruit to perfection. 
 
 Bless especially all such as hope this day to receive the 
 memorials of our Saviour's sufferings and death. May 
 contrition, penitence, faith, humility, and love, be in lively 
 exercise, and be greatly increased. 
 
 Help all of us, not only to abstain from engaging in 
 our usual business and occupation, but also keep us from 
 worldly conversation, and from vain thoughts. Raise 
 our affections to things above, and let our conversation 
 be in heaven. Enable us to give this day to reading and 
 hearing thy word, to meditation, self-examination, and 
 prayer; and be thou with us, to bless us in our retired 
 devotions. 
 
 And, Father of mercies, we beseech thee to bless all 
 that minister in holy things. Multiply unto them thy 
 grace, that they may be faithful, diligent, and laborious. 
 Grant them humility, disinterestedness, watchfulness, and 
 zeal ; may all have grace to take heed to themselves, and 
 to the flock over which the Holy Ghost has made them 
 overseers, feeding the church of God which he has pur- 
 chased with his own blood. Stand by and strengthen 
 them this day. Open thou their mouths, and enable them 
 to testify boldly the gospel of the grace of God. We 
 especially pray for him who ministers among us. May 
 he this day be enabled to speak a word in season to us, 
 and to all that hear him. 
 
 And, we beseech thee, grant that this thy Sabbath 
 may be distinguished by great and singula mercies to 
 thy Church. Be thou with all Christian congregations 
 meeting to worship thee. By the ministry of thy word 
 this day, convert many sinners; heal those that have 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 113 
 
 backslidden, strengthen those that are weak, and confirm 
 those that are strong. Give thy holy word free course, 
 and let it be glorified in every land, and among every 
 people. Hear us, and answer us, for our Lord Jesus 
 Christ's sake. Amen. 
 
 SUNDAY EVENING. Bickersteth. 
 
 Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and 
 is, and art to come ! Thou art of purer eyes than to be- 
 hold iniquity ; thou chargest thine angels with folly, and 
 in thy sight the heavens are not clean; we approach 
 thee, then, only in the name of Jesus Christ. 
 
 We confess, O Lord, how defective and defiled all our 
 services are. We acknowledge that our prayers are full 
 of distractions. Our confessions want confessing over 
 again, and our very petitions need thy pardon; our cold 
 intercessions for others increase our own guilt, and our 
 unworthy thanksgivings fall utterly short of thy great 
 goodness to us. We carelessly and unbelievingly hear 
 thy word. All we do is polluted and sinful. O forgive 
 us. Forgive the sins of solemn duties; and let that 
 great High Priest, who is passed into the heavens, bear- 
 ing the iniquities of our holy things, plead for us in thy 
 sight. 
 
 And grant, most merciful Lord, that it may not be in 
 vain that we enjoy such distinguished privileges as thou 
 hast given to us, lest it be more tolerable for Sodom and 
 Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for us. Let not 
 the seed of the word of God which has this day been 
 sown in our hearts, be plucked away by Satan, lost 
 through temptation, or choked with the cares of this life ; 
 but having heard it and received it, incline us to keep it, 
 and do thou cause it to bring forth fruit, an hundred fold. 
 
 Grant that our lives may exhibit whose we are and 
 10* 
 
114 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 whom we serve; remembering that if we know our 
 Lord's will and do it not, we shall justly have the se- 
 verer punishment ; we humbly beseech thee, strengthen 
 our resolutions to live more decidedly to thee. We feel 
 that we now have again to enter into the contest with 
 our spiritual enemies; make us more than conquerors 
 through him that loved us. We have again to exert our- 
 selves to run the race set before us ; teach us ever to 
 look unto Jesus as the author and finisher of our faith. 
 O let us take the more earnest heed never to let slip the 
 things which we have heard. 
 
 And we pray for all those who have this day assem- 
 bled before thee, and heard the word of salvation. Grant 
 unto them the same mercies which we ask for ourselves. 
 Let thy ministers that water others, be themselves abun- 
 dantly watered in their own souls. Strengthen them for 
 thy work, both in body and soul. 
 
 Remember in mercy those who by thy providence 
 have been kept from thy house, and let them receive a 
 special supply of thy grace. Grant that those who have 
 wilfully or ignorantly deprived themselves of public wor- 
 ship, may have their eyes opened to see, and their hearts 
 awakened to feel their guilt and their danger, and to learn 
 to flee from the wrath to come. O hasten the time when 
 thy house shall be a house of prayer for all nations, and 
 the whole world shall worship in thy courts. 
 
 Thanks be unto God for all the privileges of the past 
 Sabbath. Blessed be thy name that we were permitted 
 to hear thy word, and to join thy people in prayer and 
 praise, and to enjoy so plentifully the means of grace. 
 Blessed be our God for any thing of communion with 
 him, or desire after him. Blessed be our God, if the 
 grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, or his holy word, be 
 more understood or valued by us. Our cup runneth over 
 with mercies. 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 11 5 
 
 O Lord, if, amid our infirmities, thy Sabbaths here be- 
 low rejoice the heart ; if to rest from earthly labours, 
 and enjoy the privileges of thy house in this world be 
 delightful ; how should we thank thee for the prospect of 
 an eternal Sabbath, where thy servants shall serve thee 
 without one wandering thought, without weariness, and 
 without distraction ! O grant, in mercy grant, that none 
 of those who have this day met together in thy house, 
 may be wanting in the number of those who shall dwell 
 in that house not made with hands, eternal in the hea- 
 vens, for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen. 
 
 MONDAY MORNING. Bickersteth. 
 
 Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
 of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 
 who hast said that thou wilt be the God of all the fami- 
 lies of Israel, and they shall be thy people ; dispose our 
 hearts, by the gracious influence of thy Holy Spirit, to 
 worship thee through one Mediator, Jesus Christ our 
 Lord. 
 
 Thou art God, and there is none beside thee; the 
 Creator of heaven and earth, the Lord of glory, the 
 Lord God, merciful and gracious, long suffering, abun- 
 dant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, 
 forgiving iniquity, and transgressions, and sins, and that 
 will by no means clear the guilty. We bow and wor- 
 ship at thy footstool; we acknowledge thee to be the 
 Lord. 
 
 Accept, through thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, our 
 unfeigned thanksgivings for the mercies of another day. 
 Thou gavest us our being, and thou preservest us from 
 day to day. Through the defenceless hours of the night, 
 thou hast kept us in safety. Thou hast given us a soul 
 
116 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 capable of knowing and rejoicing in thee, and a body by 
 which we may serve thee. 
 
 But, O Lord, we thank thee most of all for thy spirit- 
 ual blessings. We bless thee that we were not born in 
 heathen lands, but in this favoured country, where the 
 light of thy truth clearly shines. We thank thee for the 
 comfort of the Holy Scriptures, for the labours of faith- 
 ful ministers, and for all the means of grace. O how 
 great has been thy love to us ! Thou spared st not thine 
 own Son, but deliveredst him up for us all, and with him 
 thou hast freely given us all things. 
 
 We are invited to come to thee ; though we be guilty 
 and sinful, we are freely offered pardon, peace, and sal- 
 vation ; and thou givest us a hope full of immortality in 
 Christ Jesus our Saviour. 
 
 What reward shall we render unto the Lord, for all 
 his benefits 1 We desire now afresh to devote ourselves 
 to thy service. We give up ourselves, our whole selves 
 unto thee. God of peace, sanctify us wholly. God of our 
 life, grant that our whole spirit, and soul, and body, may 
 be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord 
 Jesus Christ. 
 
 But with shame and confusion of face, we would con- 
 fess that we have been rebellious and disobedient. Thou 
 art holy, but we are unholy. Thou art merciful, but we 
 have often been selfish and unkind. Thou art pure, but 
 we are impure. Thou art patient, but we are impatient. 
 We have abused all thy gifts, and made them occasions 
 of sin. Lord, we acknowledge our impenitence, we con- 
 fess our unbelief, we bewail our self-righteousness. 
 
 Forgive us all our offences, remember not against us 
 our transgressions, but remember thy great and tender 
 mercies, which have been ever of old. Grant unto every 
 one of us a saving interest in the death of Christ, full and 
 free forgiveness of all our sins, and grace and strength 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 117 
 
 to go and sin no more. Lord, help us to love thee, teach 
 us to serve thee. Give us thy strength that we mayover- 
 come our corrupt nature. Grant that this day we may 
 have power from on high to resist every temptation, to 
 confess Christ before men, to labour steadfastly with a 
 single eye to thy glory, to live in the spirit of prayer, in 
 faith, himiility, self-denial, and love, and to walk before 
 thee in that narrow way which leads to eternal life. Fill 
 us with love to others. Teach us to do good to all men, 
 and to seek according to our means, to visit and relieve 
 the fatherless and the widows in their affliction : and do 
 thou keep us unspotted from the world. 
 
 Lord, for thy name's sake, hear us. We beseech thee, 
 according to thy infinite mercy, give us grace to serve 
 thee constantly and unfeignedly. Herein art thou glori- 
 fied, that we bear much fruit. For thine own glory, grant 
 us thy spirit, that we may bring forth all the fruits of 
 righteousness. 
 
 And hear us farther in behalf of our relations and 
 friends, our neighbourhood, our minister, and all for whom 
 we ought to pray. Help those that are weak. Comfort 
 those that are cast down. Heal those that are sick. Re- 
 lieve those that are in distress. Be merciful unto thy 
 church. O bless us, and cause thy face to shine upon us, 
 that thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving 
 health among all nations. Bring the Gentiles to Christ. 
 Gather thy people Israel into thy fold. Give wisdom and 
 power to every effort of Christian love for spreading thy 
 gospel. Bless all societies formed for this end, and let 
 those who support and conduct them, have thy direction 
 and guidance. Lord, grant that the power of the cross 
 of Christ, may at length fully triumph over all error and 
 superstition, all idolatry, and delusion, and sin. 
 
 Gracious Lord, not for our worthiness, but for the only 
 
118 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 name's sake of Jesus Christ, hear these our prayers, which 
 we sum up in his own words. 
 Our Father, fyc. 
 
 MONDAY EVENING. Bickerstelh. 
 
 O eternal God, whose name is love, and who so loved 
 the world that thou gavest thine only begotten Son, that 
 whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have 
 everlasting life, help us, by thy Holy Spirit, to believe in 
 Jesus Christ ; and trusting in him to have access unto thee. 
 
 We feel our need of a Saviour for sinners ; for we all 
 have sinned and come short of the glory of God. When 
 we look back even on the past day, thy law accuses us 
 of many sins, and our own consciences justly condemn 
 us. We have been forgetful of thy presence ; our con- 
 versation has been light and trifling ; and we have not 
 with a single eye sought thy glory, or copied the holy life 
 of our Saviour Christ. He left us a perfect example, but 
 how seldom we tread in his steps ! how little we have of 
 his meekness and lowliness of heart, of his zeal and love ! 
 We have sinned, notwithstanding the light of thy word, 
 and the checks of our own consciences. 
 
 Grant us thy grace, that we may not be hardened 
 through the deceitfulness of sin. Give us true repentance, 
 and such a sense of our sinfulness, as may lead us to de- 
 spair of salvation by any works of our own ; and bring 
 us humbled and penitent to the foot of the cross. Help 
 us by faith to behold the Lamb of God, which taketh 
 away the sin of the world. Teach us to renounce our 
 own righteousness, and to depend wholly on Jesus Christ. 
 May we be able to say and feel, " In the Lord have I 
 righteousness and strength." 
 
 Teach us to come to Jesus Christ, and now to look to 
 him, not only for pardon and peace, but also for grace 
 
FAMILY TRAYER. 119 
 
 and strength. We are weak, but Jesus is strong : grant 
 that we may be made strong in and through him. Draw 
 us to Christ, that we may receive out of his fulness, all 
 that we need, repentance, remission of sins, and the gift 
 of thy Holy Spirit ; that he may dwell in our hearts by 
 faith, and we be rooted and grounded in love. 
 
 We commend ourselves to thy care during the night. 
 Let no evil come nigh us. May our last thoughts be with 
 thee ; and when we awake up, may we still be with thee. 
 Refresh our bodies with the quiet repose of the night, and 
 renew our spiritual strength. Teach us ever to watch 
 and pray, and to be always ready, seeing we know nei- 
 ther the day nor the hour when the Son of Man shall 
 come. 
 
 Extend thy merciful care to all that are near and dear 
 to us. We pray for all our relatives. May those that 
 are endeared to us by the ties of nature, be yet more dear 
 by the stronger bonds of grace. Grant that we be all one 
 in Christ Jesus our Lord. We pray for our christian 
 friends, for our neighbours, and all with whom we have 
 intercourse. 
 
 Bless those that minister before the Lord. May they 
 all be faithful, wise, humble, and devoted servants of our 
 Lord Jesus Christ. Everywhere raise up pastors accord- 
 ing to thine heart, who shall feed thy people with know- 
 ledge and understanding. Grant thy blessing to every 
 missionary now preaching Christ to the Gentiles. Cause 
 Jew and Gentile to turn to the Lord, that they may be 
 saved. Bring on the happy day, when there shall be one 
 fold and one Shepherd ; and they shall not hurt, nor de- 
 stroy in all thy holy mountain. 
 
 O thou giver of every good and perfect gift, we praise 
 and bless thee for thy great and continued mercies to us. 
 All things thou givest to us richly for enjoyment. We 
 
120 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 receive from thee full provision for all our temporal wants, 
 and thou forgivest our iniquities. 
 
 Like as a father pitieth his children, so thou our Lord 
 and Father pitiest them that fear thee. Thou knowest 
 our frame ; thou rememberest that we are dust. Thou 
 hast had compassion on us in our low estate, and thou 
 gavest thy Son to die for us ; and now thou offerest and 
 givest us thy Holy Spirit, to soften our hard hearts and 
 to help our infirmities. Thou justifiest us freely by thy 
 grace, adoptest us into thy family, and givest us a hope 
 full of glory. 
 
 Behold what manner of love thou our Father hast be- 
 stowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of 
 God ! God of mercy, grant, only grant, that we may 
 be followers of thee as dear children, and show forth thy 
 praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, through 
 Jesus Christ. 
 
 And now blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, 
 be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the 
 Lamb, for ever and ever. Amen. 
 
 TUESDAY MORNING. Bichersteth. 
 
 Almighty God, source of every good, and fountain of 
 every blessing, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus 
 Christ, and in him our God and Father, give us the Spirit 
 of adoption, and enable us to cry, Abba, Father. Help 
 us to come and pour out our hearts before thee with the 
 same confidence and affection with which children go to 
 an earthly parent. Enable us to repose on thy love, to 
 tell thee all our desires, and all our sorrows; and from 
 the heart, to thank thee for all thy goodness to us. 
 
 Great and abundant cause we have to bless our God 
 for all that he is in himself, and for all that he is to us. 
 Thy mercies are new every morning. We thank thee 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 121 
 
 that we meet together in peace and safety. Thou hast 
 been our defence and our refuge. Let then the outgoings 
 of the morning and of the evening praise thee. 
 
 We thank thee more especially for all the mercies of 
 redemption. In the gospel of Christ, mercy and truth 
 meet together, and righteousness and peace kiss e£ch 
 other. Thus can even we rejoice in thy power and jus- 
 tice, thy holiness, mercy and love ; and bless thee that 
 the light of the knowledge of this thy glory, shines in the 
 hearts of thy people, in the face of Jesus Christ. Blessed 
 be thou the just God and the Saviour. 
 
 O how unworthy are we of the least of thy mercies ! 
 We are all sinful and guilty ! We have turned every 
 one to his own way. We would give thee the glory by 
 an ingenuous and free confession that in many things we 
 have all offended thee. From our youth up, even till now, 
 we have been in a great trespass. 
 
 We dare not justify ourselves in thy sight, for if we 
 should attempt it, even our own mouths w T ould condemn 
 us. We have omitted to perform many plain duties. We 
 have done many things for which our consciences justly 
 accuse us. All our righteousness is defiled. All our 
 prayers and services are polluted. 
 
 Yet spare us good Lord, spare us according to thy 
 great compassion and thy tender mercy. Lord God of 
 our salvation, it is thy gracious promise on which our 
 souls rely, that if we confess our sins, thou art faithful and 
 just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all un- 
 righteousness. We now confess pur sins and ask that 
 they may be forgiven, and that our souls may be purified 
 from sin. We plead thy justice, for Jesus bore our sins 
 in his own body on the tree. We plead thy faithfulness, 
 according to thy many precious promises. Let us now 
 by faith obtain those promises. 
 
 Cleanse, we beseech thee, the thoughts of our nearts, 
 11 
 
122 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that we may per- 
 fectly love thee, and worthily magnify thy holy name. 
 Strengthen us for the duties of this day. Suffer us not 
 to be tempted above what we are able to bear ; but with 
 every temptation make a way to escape. Incline and 
 enable us to walk in that way. 
 
 Hold thou up our goings in thy paths, that our footsteps 
 slip not. Set a watch before our mouths, and keep the 
 door of our lips, that we offend not with our tongue. 
 May we always speak that which is good to the use of 
 edifying, that it may minister grace to the hearers. En- 
 able us to keep our heart with all diligence, seeing that 
 out of it are the issues of life. Increase our faith, en- 
 liven our hope, and enlarge our charity, that we may 
 faithfully serve thee, and in all things glorify thy holy 
 name. 
 
 We pray for all our relatives and friends. Give them 
 prosperity both of body and soul.* Grant that grace 
 and peace may be multiplied to all those that call on the 
 Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours. Seek and save 
 
 *When any member of the family is sick, add — 
 We particularly commend unto thee that member of our family 
 now in affliction ; may faith, patience, submission and resignation be 
 granted in this hour of trial, and in thy own good time remove the 
 affliction. And, Lord, grant that all our tribulations here below may 
 lead us to look at the things which are above, and work out for us a 
 far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. Ever give us a 
 spirit of sympathy, and tender feeling, and love for each other ; and 
 may we be always ready to weep with those that weep, and rejoice 
 with those that rejoice. 
 
 When any member of the family is on a journey, add — 
 O Lord, we beseech thee, regard with thy favour, protect and de- 
 fend him who is now absent from us. Take him under thy special 
 care. Preserve him from every temptation. Prosper him in his 
 undertakings. May he be a blessing wherever he goes ; and bring 
 him in health and peace among us again, that we may together have 
 fresh cause to praise and bless thy holy name. 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 123 
 
 the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Let the light of 
 life shine into every benighted heart. Increase, especially 
 among the people of this nation, the number of those 
 who know, and love, and serve thee. Bless our rulers, 
 and guide our statesmen ; teach thy ministers, and pros- 
 per thy people, that there may be no complaining in our 
 streets; and that it may be said of us, " Happy is the 
 people that is in such a case ; yea, happy is that people 
 whose God is the Lord." 
 
 These prayers we offer up in the name and through the 
 mediation of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 
 
 TUESDAY EVENING. Bickersteth. 
 
 O thou, who art the God of all the families of the 
 earth, who didst favourably notice Abraham's command- 
 ing his children and his household after him to keep the 
 way of the Lord ; be thou present with us now, and en- 
 able us by thy Holy Spirit, and through thy Son's inter- 
 cession, to worship thee in spirit and in truth. 
 
 We come before thee acknowledging that we were all 
 born in sin, the children of wrath, and have in common 
 a corrupt nature, and a continual propensity to depart 
 from thee. And O how often have we offended thee, the 
 God of all the earth, by actual transgressions ! 
 
 Even in the day that is past, by vain thoughts, by idle 
 words, by sinful indulgences, we have grieved thy Spirit, 
 and we have incurred thy displeasure. Our only refuge 
 is in thy promised mercy in Christ Jesus. We cast our- 
 selves wholly on that mercy. Fixing all our hopes on 
 our Saviour Jesus, we confess our guilt, and earnestly 
 pray that his blood may cleanse us from all sin. 
 
 And give us, we beseech thee, the comfortable assu- 
 rance that our sins are forgiven. Let thy Holy Spirit 
 bear witness with our spirits that we are children of God. 
 
124 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 Plentifully impart to us the gift of thy Spirit, that we 
 may bring forth love, joy, peace, gentleness, goodness, 
 meekness, long-suffering, forbearance and temperance. 
 Grant that we may so copy the example of our Saviour, 
 as to be Epistles of Christ, known and read of all men ; 
 and have clear evidence of our own salvation. Teach 
 us so to live, that we may glorify thee who hast bought 
 us with a price of such amazing value as the blood of 
 thine own Son. 
 
 O that all now kneeling together may indeed obtain 
 mercy in Christ Jesus, be passed from death unto life, and 
 love and serve thee unfeignedly. But, O Lord, how cold 
 is our love to thee ! how dead, how dull are our hearts ! 
 Help us to love thee ; to love God with all our strength. 
 Shed abroad the love of God in our hearts, by giving us 
 the Holy Ghost ; and may we be taught of God to love 
 one another. Be thou present with us in our more re- 
 tired devotions; praying in our closet, to our Father 
 which is in secret, may we find his presence and blessing 
 there. 
 
 Bless, O Lord, all that are near and dear to us. Many 
 beloved relatives and friends are now absent from us; 
 but thou art with them, and all their wants are known to 
 thee. Give them thy grace, ever guide them here by 
 thy counsel, and may none of them be wanting in thy 
 heavenly kingdom. 
 
 We pray for all in authority ; Lord, may their counsels 
 be so ordered by thee as may be most for the good of our 
 country. 
 
 Give, we beseech thee, to all the ministers of Jesus 
 Christ, everywhere, true knowledge and understanding 
 of thy word ; and may they set it form in their lives ac- 
 cordingly. Make them wise to win, souls. Lord, call 
 forth and send out many faithful labourers to the work 
 of the ministry. Bring it to pass that the distant isles 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 125 
 
 shall wait on thee, and the Gentiles come to thy light 
 Bless every Society established for benefiting the bodies 
 or the souls of men, and especially those in which we are 
 more immediately engaged and interested. 
 
 Thanks be unto thee, Holy Lord God, for all thy good- 
 ness towards us. How multiplied are thy mercies every 
 day ! How excellent is thy loving kindness ! We bless 
 thee for all thy long-suffering and forbearance towards 
 us. We bless thee for the infinite mercies of redeeming 
 love. We bless thee for the knowledge of thy salvation, 
 and for the light of thy truth ; for protection from every 
 danger during the night, and provision for all our wants 
 by day. Thou hast spread our table with food, and thou 
 givest us every needful good. Accept these our prayers 
 and our praises, which we offer up in and through Jesus 
 Christ, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen. 
 
 WEDNESDAY MORNING. Swete. 
 
 * O thou whose name alone is Jehovah, and who art the 
 most high over all the earth, thou art righteous in all thy 
 ways, and holy in all thy works ; yet, forasmuch as we 
 have a great high Priest, that is passed into the heavens, 
 Jesus the Son of God, we would come with boldness unto 
 the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find 
 grace to help in time of need. Lord, we know not what 
 we should pray for as we ought ; oh ! let the Holy Spirit 
 help our infirmities, and make intercession for us with 
 groanings which can not be uttered. 
 
 It is of thy mercies, O God, that we are not consumed, 
 because thy compassions fail not ; they are new every 
 morning; great is thy faithfulness. But to us belong 
 shame and confusion of face, because we have sinned 
 against thee. We know that if we say we have no sin, 
 we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us; but thy 
 
 11 * 
 
126 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 word assures us that if we confess our sins, thou art faith- 
 ful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from 
 all unrighteousness. 
 
 We now, O Lord, acknowledge our transgressions, and 
 would set our sins before us. We acknowledge that we 
 have within us a carnal mind, which is enmity against 
 thee, — that our souls cleave unto the dust, — and that out 
 of the evil treasure of our hearts we have brought forth 
 many evil things. We acknowledge that we have fol- 
 lowed after lying vanities, and that whilst we have made 
 provision for the flesh to fulfil the lusts thereof, loving this 
 present evil world, we have forsaken the fountain of liv- 
 ing waters, for cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no 
 w 7 ater. We acknowledge that we have been verily guilty 
 concerning our brethren, for the bowels of our compassion 
 have often been shut up from those that were in need, and 
 instead of following after the things which make for 
 peace, and things wherewith one may edify another, we 
 have sat in judgment upon others, not considering our- 
 selves, lest we also be tempted. We acknowledge also 
 our pride, and our evil heart of unbelief the source of all 
 our sins, which incline us to depart from the living God ; 
 we have not walked humbly with thee, our God — but 
 have leaned to our own understanding, and have gone 
 about to establish our own righteousness, and have not 
 submitted ourselves unto the righteousness of God. 
 
 And now, O our God, what shall we say after this? 
 For we have forsaken thy commandments. Against thee, 
 thee only, have we sinned and done this evil in thy sight ; 
 but, O Lord, cast us not away from thy presence, take 
 not thy Holy Spirit from us. Give us a new heart, a 
 broken and a contrite heart, which thou wilt not despise. 
 Enable us to cry in the spirit of the publican, God be 
 merciful to us sinners : and O Lord, justify us freely by 
 thy grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 127 
 
 In Him we believe, O help thou our unbelief. With Tho- 
 mas may we adore Him as our Lord and our God — with 
 Paul may we " count all things but loss for the excellency 
 of the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord, and be found 
 in him," — with Peter may we with sincerity say, " To 
 whom shall we go 1 Thou, Lord, hast the words of eter- 
 nal life," — with the beloved disciple may we ascribe 
 " Unto him that loved us and washed us from our sins in 
 his own blood, to him be glory and dominion for ever and 
 ever. Amen." 
 
 Remember us, O Lord, with the favour that thou bear- 
 est unto thy people ; O visit us with thy salvation. We 
 ask not riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of our ene- 
 mies. We would seek after the kingdom of God and his 
 righteousness, and all those things which accompany 
 salvation. Feed us with food convenient for us. In 
 every time of trouble we would make the Lord our 
 refuge, and cast all our care upon thee, who carest for 
 us. O Lord, bless us, we beseech thee, with all spiritual 
 blessings in heavenly things in Christ Jesus. Open our 
 understandings that we may understand the Scriptures. 
 Let the word of Christ dwell in us richly in all wisdom. 
 May we not be carried about with divers and strange 
 doctrines, but may our hearts be established with thy 
 grace. May the Spirit of Truth guide us into all truth, 
 and cause us to hold fast the form of sound words 
 which we have heard, in faith and love which is in Christ 
 Jesus. May the Holy Ghost shed abroad in our hearts 
 the love of God our Redeemer, and fill us with all joy 
 and peace in believing. And may he enable us to walk 
 worthy of the vocation wherewith we are called, with 
 all lowliness and meekness, with long suffering, forbear- 
 ing one another in love ; endeavouring to keep the unity 
 of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Let thy word, O 
 Lord, be hid in our hearts, that we may not sin against 
 
128 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 thee; and make us zealously affected in every good 
 cause. May we be steadfast and unmoveable, always 
 abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as we 
 know that our labour is not in vain in the Lord. And 
 may we grow in the grace and in the knowledge of our 
 Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, fervent in spirit, serving 
 the Lord: rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, con- 
 tinuing instant in prayer, looking for that blessed hope and 
 the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour 
 Jesus Christ, when he shall come to be glorified in his 
 saints, and to be admired in all them that believe. We 
 ask all these mercies in that name which is above every 
 name, even the name of Jesus, who hath taught us when 
 we pray, to say, Our Father, fyc. 
 
 WEDNESDAY EVENING. Ed. 
 
 O thou eternal and unchangeable God, thou art the 
 same yesterday, to-day, and for ever : by thine almighty 
 power and providential care we have been preserved an- 
 other day, and through thy grace, permitted once more 
 to approach thee in prayer. We are thine, for thou hast 
 made us for thy glory. We are not our own, for we 
 have been bought with a price. Help us to consecrate 
 ourselves and all that we have and are to thee. Ena- 
 ble us to glorify thee in our bodies and spirits, which are 
 thine. 
 
 We render thee thanks for the mercies which have fol- 
 lowed us to the present hour. Bless the Lord, O our souls, 
 and forget not all his benefits. 
 
 Enable us, by thy grace, to show forth thy praise in a 
 holy and consistent walk and conversation. May we let 
 our light so shine, that others seeing our good works, 
 may glorify our Father who is in heaven. 
 
 With an acknowledgment, of thy mercies, O Lord, we 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 129 
 
 would confess our multiplied offences against thee, our 
 innumerable transgressions of thy holy law, and our ag- 
 gravated sins of omission and commission. We are 
 guilty in thy sight. We deserve thy wrath. But, O most 
 merciful Father, for the sake of thy Son Jesus Christ, 
 pardon our iniquities, justify us freely on account of his 
 righteousness, and accept us graciously in thy beloved. 
 Wash us in that fountain which was opened in the house 
 of David for sin and uncleanness. Sprinkle us with 
 atoning blood. Create within us clean hearts, and renew 
 within us right spirits. Vouchsafe to us the grace of thy 
 spirit, that being enlightened, strengthened, and sanctified 
 by the same, we may depart from all iniquity, and adorn 
 the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. 
 
 Almighty God, visit in mercy and with salvation, the 
 congregation of worshipping Christians,with which we are 
 connected. Make bare thine arm for the salvation of 
 sinners, and give abundant success to the ministration of 
 the word and ordinances among us. To this end, revive 
 thy work in the hearts of thine own children, and plen- 
 teously endue thy servant, our pastor, with wisdom and 
 grace from on high, that he may rightly divide the word 
 of life, and faithfully discharge the duties of his office. 
 May the young be trained in the nurture and admonition 
 of the Lord, that they may remember their Creator in 
 the days of their youth. 
 
 Bless all thy ministering servants and thy church uni- 
 versal, with an abundant outpouring of thy Holy Spirit, 
 and with a time of refreshing from the presence of the 
 Lord. Put an end to all vice, heresy, and schism, and let 
 the knowledge of the glory of the Lord cover the earth, 
 as the waters cover the seas. 
 
 Regard in tender mercy and compassion, O Lord God, 
 our absent relations and friends. Make them, by thy 
 grace, the children of thine adoption, and heirs of eter- 
 
130 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 nal life. Heal the sick, and comfort the afflicted. Give 
 strength to the weak, succour to the tempted, encourage- 
 ment to the desponding, faith to the unbelieving, and need- 
 ed grace to all. 
 
 To thy watchful care and kind protection, O thou 
 Keeper of Israel, we commend our bodies and souls this 
 night Preserve us from all evil; grant us refreshing 
 sleep ; and, if consistent with thy divine will, permit us 
 in health and comfort to behold and enjoy the light of an- 
 other day. Have mercy, O thou compassionate God, on 
 ail who shall this night sleep the sleep of death. Give 
 grace to them that are appointed to die, that they may 
 find peace in believing, and salvation in the atoning sacri- 
 fice of thy son Jesus Christ. 
 
 Hear us, O Lord, in these our humble petitions. Ac- 
 cept our thanksgivings and praise, and graciously own 
 and accept us, through Jesus Christ our Redeemer. 
 Amen. 
 
 THURSDAY MORNING. Jenks. 
 
 O Lord God, that hearest prayer, and art nigh to all 
 that call upon thee in truth, having thine ears open to a 
 world of creatures, that continually depend upon thee ! 
 As we are moved by our own necessities, so are we 
 encouraged by the daily experience of thy mercies, still 
 to shelter ourselves under the shadow of thy wings, and 
 to continue our suits and supplications at the throne of 
 thy grace. And we beg of thee, who fashioneth all the 
 iiearts of the sons of men, that thou wilt prepare our 
 hearts to come into thy holy presence and to call upon 
 thy blessed name, in a due and acceptable manner. O 
 pour upon us the spirit of grace and of supplications ; and 
 let thy good Spirit help our infirmities, and teach us to 
 pray, and to ask such things, and in such a way, as shall 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 131 
 
 be most agreeable to thy will, and most advantageous to 
 our souls. , v 
 
 For we, who are but poor worms, and sinful dust and 
 ashes, that have too much cause to be afraid, lest our 
 great and manifold sins have provoked thee to hide thy 
 face from us, and to shut up thy loving kindness in dis- 
 pleasure against us, have taken upon, us to speak unto 
 thee, the Sovereign Majesty of heaven and earth. For 
 we have done foolishly and wickedly, in not hearkening 
 to the calls of thy word, nor yielding to the monitions of 
 thy Spirit, to walk in the ways which thou hast set before 
 us. Our iniquities are increased over our heads, our tres- 
 passes are grown even up to heaven, and our sins are a 
 sore burden, too grievous and heavy for us to bear. And 
 O Lord, shouldst thou enter into judgment with us, we 
 could not answer thee for one of a thousand ; but must 
 lay our hands upon our mouths, and plead nothing but 
 guilty, having our whole dependence upon thy mercy. 
 
 O God, be merciful to us, miserable sinners, for his 
 sake, whom thou hast exalted to be a Prince and a Sa- 
 viour, to give repentance toothy people, and forgiveness 
 of their sins ; be merciful to us, we pray thee, and heal 
 our souls, that have greatly sinned against thee. O heal 
 our backslidings, renew us to true repentance, establish 
 our hearts in thy true fear and love, and establish our 
 goings in thy holy ways ; that we may not be so waver- 
 ing and bent to backsliding, nor revolt from thee to turn 
 to folly, after thou in mercy hast spoken peace to our 
 souls ; but may go on conquering and to conquer all the 
 enemies of our souls, and all the hinderances of our sal- 
 vation, till Satan be bruised under our feet. 
 
 O thou God of all grace ! bring such thoughts to our 
 minds, and lay such considerations home powerfully upon 
 our hearts, as thou knowest most effectual to prevail with 
 us, to work in us thy will, and to keep us from our ini 
 
132 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 quity within the bounds of our duty, till thou receive us 
 into the blessed kingdom of thy glory. And, in the mean 
 time, sanctify to us all thy dealings with us ; and bless us 
 in all our undertakings, and in all our conditions, enjoy- 
 ments, and relations. Make us humble in a high estate, 
 contented in a low, and still duly careful of our souls in 
 all ; following after the things now which will bring us 
 true peace and comfort at the last. 
 
 Dispose of us, we beseech thee, our God, and of all that 
 concerns us this day, to the glory of thy name. O keep 
 us at all times, and in all places and companies, from the 
 evil of sin, and from all other evils, to which the great- 
 ness of our sins makes us liable. And take thou, O hea- 
 venly Father, the gracious charge, and guidance, and go- 
 vernment of us ; and so lead us here in all our ways, 
 with thy counsel, that hereafter thou mayest receive us 
 into thy glory ; through thy tender mercies, and our Sa- 
 viour's abundant merits : in whose name, we beg all things 
 needful for ourselves and others, at thy hands. 
 Our Father which art in heaven, fyc. 
 
 THURSDAY EVENING. Sicetc. 
 
 O Lord, thou art worthy to receive glory, and honour, 
 and power : for thou hast created all things, arid for thy 
 pleasure they are and were created. Every day will we 
 bless thee, and praise thy name for ever and ever. For 
 it is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to 
 sing praises unto thy name, O Most High ; to show forth 
 thy loving kindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness 
 every night. 
 
 We praise thee for our many temporal blessings. In 
 thee we live and move and have our being. We lay 
 ourselves down and sleep, for thou Lord dost sustain us. 
 Thou dost preserve us in our going out and at our com- 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 133 
 
 ing in, and sufferest no evil to befall us, nor any plague to 
 come nigh our dwelling. Thou feedest us with food con- 
 venient for us, and givest us richly all things to enjoy. 
 
 But we praise thee more especially for all our spiritual 
 blessings. We bless thee, O Lord, for that faithful say- 
 ing, which is worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus 
 came into the world to save sinners; we give thanks to 
 thee that thou hast laid on him the iniquity of us all, — 
 that in him we have redemption through his blood, the 
 forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace, 
 — that he ever liveth to make intercession for us, — that 
 his grace is sufficient for us — and that he hath left us 
 an example, that we should follow his steps. We praise 
 thee for the promise of the Holy Spirit, whose office it is 
 to convince us of sin, to testify of the Saviour, to shed 
 abroad his love in our hearts, and to fill us with all joy 
 and peace in believing. We praise thee also for the Holy 
 Scriptures, and for permitting us to hear in our own 
 tongue thy wonderful works, for giving unto us thy holy 
 Sabbaths, for sending to us the word of salvation, and for 
 enabling us to enjoy the ordinances of thy holy sanctuary, 
 none making us afraid. 
 
 And O thou God of salvation, if we have been trans- 
 lated out of darkness into the kingdom of thy dear Son, 
 — if the Gospel has come to us not only in word, but in 
 power and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance, — 
 if we have been made joyful in thy house of prayer, — 
 if Christ has been formed in our hearts the hope of glory, 
 if sin reigns not in our mortal body that we should obey 
 it in the lusts thereof, but we are yielding ourselves unto 
 God, as those that are alive from the dead, — if Jesus is 
 precious unto us, and his love doth constrain us to adorn 
 the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things : — then will 
 we glorify and praise thee, saying, Not unto us, O Lord, 
 not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy 
 
 12 
 
134 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 and for thy truth's sake ! What shall we render unto the 
 Lord for all his benefits towards us ? We will take the 
 cup of sanation, and call upon the name of the Lord ! 
 
 O God, the God of the Spirits of all flesh, we would 
 now make our prayers unto thee for all men, for the Presi- 
 dent of the United States, and for all that are in author- 
 ity, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all 
 godliness and honesty. Let mercy and truth preserve 
 our land, and let our government be established in right- 
 eousness. Let violence no more be heard in our land, 
 wasting nor destruction within our borders, but let our 
 walls be called salvation, and our gates praise. 
 
 Bless thy servants, to whom thou hast committed the 
 ministry of reconciliation. Make them mighty in the 
 Scriptures. Let utterance be given to them, that they 
 may open their mouths boldly, to make known the mys- 
 tery of the Gospel, and to preach the unsearchable riches 
 of Christ. Let them be an example to the believers, in 
 word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in 
 purity. May they be instant in season and out of season ; 
 in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves ; if 
 God peradventure will give them repentance to the ac- 
 knowledging of the truth. O thou Lord of the harvest, 
 we pray thee, that thou wilt send forth labourers into 
 thine harvest, and as it is thou alone that givest the in- 
 crease, we beseech thee that thy hand may be with thy 
 servants, that great numbers may believe and turn unto 
 thee. May grace be with all them that love our Lord 
 Jesus Christ in sincerity. Bless them with all spiritual 
 blessings in heavenly things in Christ ; and being washed 
 and justified, and sanctified in the name of the Lord 
 Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God, may thy peace rule 
 in their hearts, and may they increase and abound in love 
 one toward another and toward all men. 
 
 And, O thou Saviour of the world, who art sent to be 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 135 
 
 a light, to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy peo- 
 ple Israel ; have respect unto the covenant, for the dark 
 places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty. 
 O let thy salvation and thy righteousness be openly showed 
 in the sight of the heathen, and let all the ends of the 
 earth see the salvation of our God. From the rising of 
 the sun, even unto the going down of the same, let thy 
 name be great among the Gentiles. And, O Lord, we 
 pray to thee for the peace of Jerusalem. Our hearts' 
 desire, for Israel, is, that they may be saved. Let the 
 veil that is upon their hearts be taken away, that they 
 may turn unto the Lord ; and according to thy promise, 
 pour upon them the spirit of grace and of supplication, 
 that they may look upon him whom they have pierced, 
 and mourn. And O hasten the time, when Zion shall 
 rise and shine, because her light is come, and the glory 
 of the Lord is risen upon her. 
 
 And now O Lord, what wait we for ? our hope is in 
 thee. Thou art our refuge and our fortress, our God, in 
 thee will we trust. Help us to cast all our care upon 
 thee, who carest for us. Let thy goodness and mercy 
 follow us all the days of our life, and being guided by 
 thy counsel may we afterwards be received up into glory. 
 
 Now unto him, that is able to do exceeding abundantly 
 above all that we can ask or think, according to the 
 power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church 
 by Christ Jesus, throughout all ages, world without end. 
 Amen. 
 
 FRIDAY MORNING. Com. Pr. 
 
 Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name ; 
 thy kingdom come ; thy will be done on earth, as it is in 
 heaven; give us this day our daily bread ; and forgive us 
 our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against 
 us ; and lead us not into temptation ; but deliver us from 
 
136 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 evil ; for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the 
 glory, for ever and ever. Amen. 
 
 Almighty and everlasting God, in whom we live and 
 move and have our being ; we, thy needy creatures, ren- 
 der thee our humble praises, for thy preservation of us 
 from the beginning of our lives to this day, and especially 
 for having delivered us from the dangers of the past 
 night. To thy watchful providence we owe it, that no 
 disturbance hath come nigh us or our dwelling ; but, that 
 we are brought in safety to the beginning of this day. 
 For these thy mercies, we bless and magnify thy glori- 
 ous name; humbly beseeching thee to accept this our 
 morning sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving ; for his 
 sake who lay down in the grave, and rose again for us, 
 thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. 
 
 And since it is of thy mercy, O gracious Father, that 
 another day is added to our lives ; we here dedicate both 
 our souls and our bodies to thee and thy service, in a 
 sober, righteous, and godly life ; in which resolution, do 
 thou, O merciful God, confirm, and strengthen us ; that, 
 as we grow in age, we may grow in grace, and in the 
 knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen. 
 
 But, O God, who knowest the weakness and corruption 
 of our nature, and the manifold temptations which we 
 daily meet with ; we humbly beseech thee to have com- 
 passion on our infirmities, and to give us the constant as- 
 sistance of thy Holy Spirit; that we may be effectually 
 restrained from sin, and excited to our duty. Imprint 
 upon our hearts such a dread of thy judgments, and such 
 a grateful sense of thy goodness to us, as may make us 
 both afraid and ashamed to offend thee. And, above all, 
 keep in our minds a lively remembrance of that great 
 day, in which we must give a strict account of our 
 thoughts, words, and actions ; and according to the 
 works done in the body, be eternalb r rewarded c^ p*w 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 137 
 
 ished, by him whom thou hast appointed the judge of 
 quick and dead, thy Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 
 In particular, we implore thy grace and protection for 
 the ensuing day. Keep us temperate in our meats and 
 drinks, and diligent in our several callings. Grant us 
 patience under any afflictions thou shall see fit to lay on 
 us, and minds always contented with our present condi- 
 tion. Give us grace to be just and upright in all our deal- 
 ings ; quiet and peaceable ; full of compassion ; and rea- 
 dy to do good to all men, according to our abilities and 
 opportunities. Direct us in all our ways, and prosper the 
 works of our hands in the business of our several sta- 
 tions. Defend us from all dangers and adversities; and 
 be graciously pleased to take us, and all things belonging 
 to us, under thy fatherly care and protection. These 
 things," and whatever else thou shalt see necessary and 
 convenient to us, we humbly beg through the merits and 
 mediation of thy Son Jesus Christ, our Lord and Sa- 
 viour. Amen. 
 
 FRIDAY EVENING. Com. Pr. 
 
 Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; 
 thy kingdom come ; thy will be done on earth, as it is in 
 heaven ; give us this day our daily bread ; and forgive us 
 our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against 
 us ; and lead us not into temptation ; but deliver us from 
 evil ; for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the 
 glory, for ever and ever. Amen. 
 
 Most merciful God, who art of purer eyes than to be- 
 hold iniquity, and hast promised forgiveness to all those 
 who confess and forsake their sins, we come before thee 
 in an humble sense of our own unworthiness, acknow- 
 ledging our manifold transgressions of thy righteous 
 laws. But, O gracious Father, who desirest not the 
 
 12* 
 
138 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 death of a sinner, 100k upon us, we beseech thee, in mercy 
 and forgive us all our transgressions. Make us deeply 
 sensible of the great evil of them ; and work in us an 
 hearty contrition ; that we may obtain forgiveness at thy 
 hands, who art ever ready to receive humble and penitent 
 sinners ; for the sake of thy Son Jesus Christ, our only 
 Saviour and Redeemer. Amen. 
 
 And lest, through our own frailty, or the temptations 
 which encompass us, we be drawn again into sin, vouch- 
 safe us, we beseech thee, the direction and assistance of 
 thy Holy Spirit. Reform whatsoever is amiss in the tem- 
 per and disposition of our souls ; that no unclean thoughts, 
 unlawful designs, or inordinate desires may rest there. 
 Purge our hearts from envy, hatred, and malice ; that we 
 may never suffer the sun to go down upon our wrath ; 
 but may always go to our rest in peace, charity and good 
 will, with a conscience void of offence towards thee and 
 towards men : that so, we may be preserved pure and 
 blameless, unto the coming of our Lord and Saviour 
 Jesus Christ. Amen. 
 
 And accept, O Lord, our intercessions for all mankind. 
 Let the light of thy gospel shine upon all nations, and 
 may as many as have received it, live as becomes it. Be 
 gracious unto thy Church ; and grant that every member 
 of the same, in his vocation and ministry, may serve 
 thee faithfully. Bless all in authority over us ; and so rule 
 their hearts and strengthen their hands, that they may 
 punish wickedness and vice, and maintain thy true reli- 
 gion and virtue. Send down thy blessings, temporal and 
 spiritual, upon all our relations, friends, and neighbours. 
 Reward all who have done us good, and pardon all those 
 who have done or wish us evil, and give them repentance 
 and better minds. Be merciful to all who are in any 
 trouble ; and do thou, the God of pity, administer to 
 them according to their several necessities, for his sake, 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 139 
 
 who went about doing good, thy Son* our Saviour Jesus 
 Christ* Amen* 
 
 To our prayers, O Lord, we join our unfeigned thanks 
 for all thy mercies ; for our being, our reason, and all 
 other endowments and faculties of soul and body ; for our 
 health, friends, food and raiment, and all the other com- 
 forts and conveniences of life. Above all, we adore thy 
 mercy in sending thy only Son into the w r orld to redeem 
 us from sin and eternal death, and in giving us the know- 
 ledge and sense of our duty towards thee. We bless 
 thee for thy patience with us, notwithstanding our many 
 and great provocations ; for all the directions, assistances, 
 and comforts of thy Holy Spirit ; for thy continual care 
 and watchful providence over us through the wmole 
 course of our lives ; and particularly for the mercies and 
 benefits of the past day. Beseeching thee to continue 
 these thy blessings to us ; and to give us grace to show 
 our thankfulness in a sincere obedience to his laws, 
 through whose merits and intercession we received them 
 all, thy Son our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen. 
 
 In particular, we beseech thee to continue thy gracious 
 protection to us this night. Defend us from all dangers 
 and mischiefs, and from the fear of them ; that we may 
 enjoy such refreshing sleep, as may fit us for the duties 
 of the following day. Make us ever mindful of the time 
 when we shall lie down in the dust; and grant us grace 
 always to live in such a state, that we may never be 
 afraid to die ; so that living and dying we may be thine, 
 through the merits and satisfaction of thy Son Christ Je- 
 sus, in whose name we offer up these our imperfect 
 prayers. Amen. 
 
140 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 SATURDAY MORNING. Ed. 
 
 Almighty and ever blessed God, thou whose name 
 alone is Jehovah, art the Most High over all the earth ; 
 unto thee would we look this morning, through Christ the 
 Mediator, as unto the prayer hearing and prayer answer- 
 ing God. We thank thee for thy merciful protection 
 during the past night, and for the refreshing sleep which 
 we have enjoyed. We laid ourselves dow T n and slept, 
 and rose again because the Lord hath sustained us. We 
 thank thee for the light of another day, and for the mea- 
 sure of health with which we are permitted to behold it, 
 and for all our mercies and comforts. But above all, 
 we bless thee for the light of the Gospel, and for the gift 
 of him who is the light of the world. Grant us, we 
 beseech thee, thy Holy Spirit, to enlighten our minds, and 
 to sanctify our hearts, that we may perceive Christ to be 
 the chiefest among ten thousand, and the one altogether 
 lovely ; that we may receive him by faith, as the Lord 
 our righteousness, and glorify his holy name by a godly 
 w x alk and conversation. 
 
 We acknowledge and confess our manifold sins and 
 transgressions. We have strayed from thy ways, O God, 
 like lost sheep. We have done those things w r hich we 
 ought not to have done, and w r e have left undone those 
 things w T hich w r e ought to have done. We have incurred 
 thy displeasure. We deserve thy wrath. But O most 
 gracious Father, have mercy upon us. Grant us true 
 repentance for all our sins. Look thou upon us in the 
 face of thine Anointed, and forgive us all our trespasses, 
 and enable us by thy grace to adorn the doctrine of God, 
 our Saviour, in all things. 
 
 Preserve us this day, O Lord, from all evil, and defend 
 us from every danger to which we may be exposed. 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 141 
 
 Give us a due sense of our dependence on thee, and of 
 our indebtedness to thee, for every good gift we enjoy. 
 Enable us this day to resist temptation, and overcome the 
 evil desires of our own hearts. May we, in thy strength, 
 discharge the duties incumbent on us, and do thy holy 
 will in all things. May we, as a family, be devoted to 
 thy service, and as individuals, may we be the objects of 
 thy providential care, and the subjects of thy saving 
 grace. 
 
 O Heavenly Father, remember in mercy our absent 
 relatives and friends. May they be interested in the cove- 
 nant of redemption, and be made partakers of everlasting 
 life. May their lives and health be precious in thy sight, 
 and consecrated to thy service. 
 
 Bless all for whom we should pray. Have mercy 
 upon all men, and especially the sick and afflicted. Heal 
 and comfort them. Relieve them according to their ne- 
 cessities. Give them patience under their sufferings, 
 humble resignation to thy will, and a happy deliverance 
 from all their pains and sorrows. 
 
 Smile graciously upon thy church universal, and give 
 grace to all who minister in holy things, to be faithful in 
 the same. Let thy kingdom soon come. From the rising 
 of the sun even unto the going down of the same, may 
 thy name be great among the Gentiles; and in every 
 place may incense be offered unto thy name, and a pure 
 offering ; and may thy name be great among the heathen. 
 
 " Our Father who art in heaven," &c. 
 
 SATURDAY EVENING. Ed. 
 
 O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh 
 come. We, thine unworthy servants, would now come 
 unto thee. We would worship, and bow down, and kneel 
 before the Lord our Maker. Have mercy on us, and 
 
142 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 graciously hearken to the voice of our supplication We 
 praise thee, O God, for the blessings of another day and 
 another week. Through thy preserving care we are 
 spared to the present moment. 
 
 Instead of lifting up the voice of thanksgiving and 
 prayer, we justly might be now venting our fruitless cries 
 in the regions of despair and woe. By our sins we have 
 merited thine indignation ; but through thy forbearance 
 and grace, we are still continued in the land of hope, of 
 privileges, and of the means of salvation. Not unto us, 
 but unto thy name, O Lord, be all the praise and glory. 
 Grant us, we beseech thee, an abiding sense of our 
 sinfulness in thy sight, and true repentance for the same. 
 May we be abased in our own eyes ; and glory only in 
 the Lord. May w r e rely, for pardon and acceptance, upon 
 the perfect righteousness of our substitute and surety, 
 Jesus Christ, and not go about to establish a righteousness 
 of our own. May we trust for sanctification, to the gra- 
 cious influence of thy Spirit, and have no confidence in 
 the flesh. May we mourn with genuine contrition over 
 our sins and follies, and not glory in our shame. May 
 we sorrow after a godly sort, because of our iniquities 
 and shortcomings, and not take pleasure in unrighteous- 
 ness. May we die daily unto sin, and live no longer 
 therein. O Heavenly Father, give us grace to make our 
 calling and election sure. May we not grow cold and 
 lukewarm in thy service, but may we be zealously af- 
 fected in every good thing. May we not say peace to 
 our souls when there is no peace, but may we work out 
 our salvation with fear and trembling, knowing that it is 
 God that worketh in us, both to will and to do of his good 
 pleasure. May we not be slothful, nor stand all the day 
 idle, but may we ever be about our Heavenly Father's 
 business. May we be diligent in business, fervent in 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 143 
 
 spirit, serving the Lord, and always abounding in his 
 work. 
 
 Bless and prosper, O Lord, every lawful business in 
 which we have been engaged during the week now draw- 
 ing to a close, so far as is agreeable to thy will. May 
 we always labour with an habitual and prayerful depend- 
 ence on thee for success. May we be thankful for all 
 that we have enjoyed in days that are past, and humbly 
 trust thee for all that is needful in time to come. 
 
 Continue thy kind and undeserved protection of us 
 through this night, O thou who never slumberest nor 
 sleepest. May we rest in the hollow of thy hand, and 
 under the shadow of thy wing ; and, if consistent with 
 thy wise and righteous purposes, may we be permitted to 
 behold another of the days of the Son of man; refreshed 
 by sleep, and fitted to discharge the duties and enjoy the 
 privileges of the Sabbath. May it be a Sabbath to our souls. 
 
 Be with all thy servants who shall minister in thy 
 name on the coming day. May they receive fresh unc- 
 tion from the Holy One, and be clothed with salvation as 
 with a garment. 
 
 May they preach the Gospel in its purity and simpli- 
 city, with all godly sincerity and faithfulness. May sin- 
 ners be converted to the knowledge and love of God. 
 And may thy saints be edified, established, and built up 
 in their most holy faith. 
 
 Send forth thy light and thy truth to the ends of the 
 earth. May all men know thee, from the least even unto 
 the greatest. May we who enjoy the light of the Gos- 
 pel, be duly thankful for the gift, and faithfully receive 
 it into our hearts, that it may not prove a savour of death 
 unto death to our souls. 
 
 While we live, may we live unto thee, and when we 
 die, may we die in the Lord, so that living or dying we 
 may be his. 
 
144 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 Hear us, O blessed God, in these our prayers and 
 thanksgivings, and finally save us all, through infinite 
 riches of grace in Christ our Redeemer. Amen ! 
 
 THIRD WEEK. 
 
 SUNDAY MORNING. Jay. 
 
 O thou Most High ! thine eyes are in every place, be- 
 holding the evil and the good ; thine eyes behold, and 
 thine eye-lids try the children of men. We hope we can 
 appeal to thy Omniscience, and say. in the way of thy 
 appointments, we are now waiting for thee, while our 
 desire is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee. 
 
 Thou art rich in mercy. The blood of Jesus Christ, 
 thy Son, cleanseth from all sin. The agency of thy 
 Holy Spirit can subdue the most powerful corruptions. 
 Heal us, and we shall be healed ; save us, and we shall 
 be saved ; for thou art our praise. Hide thy face from 
 our sin, and blot out all our iniquity. Create in us also, 
 O God, a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within us. 
 Illuminate our understandings with the light of life. May 
 we know the truth, and may the truth make us free. 
 Give us tender and wakeful consciences ; and may they 
 always smite and torment us when we sin against God. 
 May we be consistent and uniform in the whole of our 
 conversation and conduct; the same alone and in company, 
 in prosperity and adversity ; esteeming all thy command- 
 ments concerning all things to be right, and hating every 
 false way — Israelites indeed, in whom there is no guile. 
 
 May we never be satisfied with any present progression 
 in the divine life ; but this one thing may we do, forgetting 
 the things that are behind, and reaching forth unto those 
 that are before, may we press towards the mark, for the 
 prize of our high calling of God in Christ Jesus. May 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 145 
 
 we add to our faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 
 and to knowledge temperance ; and to temperance god- 
 liness ; and to godliness brotherly kindness ; and to brother- 
 ly kindness charity ; and may all these things not only 
 be in us, but abound. 
 
 Enable us to accommodate ourselves to the dispensa- 
 tions of thy providence, with the views and feelings of 
 Christians. May we know how to be abased, and how 
 to abound ; may we learn in whatsoever state we are, 
 therewith to be content; yea, in every thing, may we 
 give thanks ; knowing that all the ways of the Lord are 
 mercy and truth, to those that trust in him. 
 
 May we feel the ties that unite us to our fellow-crea- 
 tures, especially to our fellow-Christians. By sympathy, 
 and praise, and prayer, may we make their mercies and 
 miseries our own ; rejoicing with them that rejoice, and 
 weeping with them that weep. 
 
 Regard the sons and daughters of distress ; and as af- 
 flictions are not immutable dispensations, and we are 
 allowed to pray for temporal blessings conditionally, if 
 it be thy pleasure, command deliverance for them ; or 
 should thy wisdom continue the trial, keep them from 
 sinking or sinning in the evil day; let thy strength 
 be made perfect in their weakness ; and in the multitude 
 of their thoughts within them, may thy comforts delight 
 their souls. 
 
 Be with those who will pass the day in absence from 
 thy dear abode. Though thou art with thy people in 
 trouble, yet thou hast taught them, by experience, to 
 value thy ordinances, and to esteem a day in thy courts, 
 better than a thousand. O let them not pass an unprofit- 
 able, though a silent Sabbath; let their meditation of 
 thee be sweet ; and though not in thy house, may they 
 be in thy Spirit, on thy own day. 
 
 And make those thankful, who arc exempted from 
 13 
 
146 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 spiritual privations; and have liberty and health, and 
 strength, to go into thy house, in the multitude of thy 
 mercies. 
 
 "We bless thee that this is our privilege. May we 
 know the day of our visitation, and embrace the things 
 that belong to our peace. May we hear with solemnity 
 of mind, knowing that for all these things, God will bring 
 us into judgment. May we hear with prayer, remem- 
 bering that whoever may plant or water, thou alone 
 canst give the increase. May we be doers of the word, 
 and not hearers only; and may we keep in memory 
 what is preached unto us, that we may not believe in 
 vain. 
 
 May we carry into ordinary life the various portions 
 of divine truth, which successively engage our attention, 
 and use them as seasons and circumstances render them 
 suitable ; may its doctrines inform, its warnings caution, 
 its rules guide, and its promises comfort us, till we have 
 received the end of our faith, the salvation of our souls. 
 
 Bless the congregation in whose devotions we are to 
 mingle. Let thy minister be clothed with salvation, and 
 let thy saints shout aloud for joy. O thou holy and 
 beautiful house, where our fathers praised thee, peace 
 be within thy walls — for our brethren and companions' 
 sakes, we will now say, peace be within thee. 
 
 And bless, we beseech thee, all thy churches, and all 
 thy servants of every name. Plead thy own cause. 
 Build up Zion. Establish and make Jerusalem a praise 
 in the whole earth. May many run to and fro, and 
 knowledge be increased ; and may all know thee from the 
 east even to the greatest. Amen. 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 147 
 
 SUNDAY EVENING. Jay, 
 
 When we consider the heavens the work of thy fingers, 
 and the moon and the stars which thou hast ordained, 
 Lord, what is man that thou art mindful of him, or the 
 son of man that thou visitest him ? In thy sight the hea- 
 vens are not clean ; and thou chargest thine angels with 
 folly — with what truth therefore may we, and with what 
 humiliation ought we, to exclaim, Behold we are vile ! 
 
 And yet we believe — help thou our unbelief, that thou 
 waitest to be gracious unto us ; and art exalted to have 
 mercy upon us. And Christ also has once suffered for 
 sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us unto 
 God. Through his obedience unto death, even the death 
 of the cross, it is honourable in thee, to save all that 
 come unto thee by him ; and thou art faithful and just, as 
 well as gracious and merciful, in forgiving us our sins, 
 and in cleansing us from all unrighteousness. 
 
 We bless thy holy name, for a foundation on which the 
 guilty, the depraved, and the helpless can build a hope 
 that maketh not ashamed ; for a refuge from the curse of 
 a broken law; for a fountain opened for sin and unclean- 
 ness : and for a fulness, from which we can receive, and 
 grace for grace. We want to appropriate and realize all 
 the representations given of the Saviour in thy word; 
 and to find it to be, in our own experience, what thy peo- 
 ple have found him to be, in all ages of the world. May 
 our persons and our services be accepted in the beloved. 
 May we be justified freely by thy grace, through the re- 
 demption that is in Christ Jesus. May we be saved by 
 the washing of regeneration, and the renewing of the 
 Holy Ghost. We are weary and heavy laden, give us 
 rest We are depraved in all our powers — work in us 
 to will and to do of thy good pleasure. We are ignorant 
 
146 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 — fill us with knowledge of thy will, in all wisdom and 
 spiritual understanding, that we may approve things that 
 are excellent, and be sincere and without offence, till the 
 day of Christ. 
 
 Many eyes are upon us — lead us in a plain path be- 
 cause of our enemies. Many watch for our halting; 
 but may we put to silence the ignorance of foolish men, 
 and constrain them by our good works, which they be- 
 hold, to glorify God in the day of visitation. 
 
 Though we are ignorant of the future, and know not 
 what a day may bring forth, keep us from being of a 
 doubtful mind. May we be careful for nothing. May 
 we go on our way rejoicing, persuaded that all thy dis- 
 pensations are designed and adapted to prove that thou 
 carest for us. 
 
 And till we arrive at heaven, our home, may we grate- 
 fully avail ourselves of all the advantages afforded us in 
 our journey. We bless thee for wilderness privileges; 
 for the manna; the streams of the smitten rock; the 
 fiery cloudy pillar ; the tabernacle and the ark. We bless 
 thee for the Sabbath, the sanctuary and the ministry of 
 the word. We bless thee for the opportunities we have 
 this day enjoyed in waiting upon thee. Many who love 
 thy salvation, have passed the sacred hours in solitude. 
 Many have had no means of grace to invite their attend- 
 ance. And many who have been assembled together, have 
 not heard the gospel of the grace of God, in truth. O 
 let not our privileges increase our guilt, and aggravate 
 our condemnation, so that it shall be more tolerable for 
 Sodom and Gomorrah, in the day of judgment, than for 
 us. Let not the truths we have been hearing, visit us 
 only as weekly guests ; but may they be residents in our 
 hearts. May the word of Christ dwell in us richly, in 
 all wisdom. And though the exercises in which we have 
 been engaged are transient, may the effects produced by 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 149 
 
 them be deep and durable ; may the Sabbath pervade the 
 week, and the spirit of devotion actuate us in the absence 
 of its forms : whether we eat, or drink, or whatever we 
 do, may we do all to the glory of God. 
 
 Bless, O bless the rising generation, the sources of fu- 
 ture families and communities. When the clods of the 
 valley shall be sweet about us, may they be found a seed 
 to serve thee. Defend us this night, O thou merciful pro- 
 tector, from all evil and danger. Shouldst thou call us 
 hence this night, may we awake in glory, and be for ever 
 with the Lord : or shouldst thou continue us in being, 
 may we rise in health and comfort, to pay thee the hom- 
 age of grateful hearts, in a course of cheerful obedience. 
 
 Regard all thy professing churches. Bless them with 
 soundness of doctrine, purity, and faithful discipline; and 
 with sanctity and amiableness of character, in their mem- 
 bers : and the Lord add to his people, how many soever 
 they be, an hundred fold ; yea, let a little one become a 
 thousand, and a small one a strong nation; and all the 
 families of the earth be blessed in him — who is all our 
 salvation, and all our desire — to whom be glory and do- 
 minion, for ever and ever. Amen. 
 
 MONDAY MORNING. Jay 
 
 O Lord God of hosts, hear our prayer ; give ear, O 
 God of Jacob ; behold, O God, our shield, and look upon 
 the face of thine anointed. 
 
 It is in his dear and all-prevailing name we come. We 
 have nothing of our own to plead; no works, no worthi- 
 ness, no promises. We have all, like sheep, gone astray. 
 We have been transgressors from the womb. We have 
 knowingly opposed thine authority, and abused thy good- 
 ness. We have been ungrateful under thy indulgences ; 
 incorrigible under thy rebukes ; and have improved none 
 
 13* 
 
150 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 of our religious advantages. We stand before thee con- 
 demned by our own consciences, as well as by thy word. 
 Yet, in the way of thine appointment, thou art waiting 
 to be gracious ; and hast said, that whatsoever we ask, 
 believing in his name, we shall receive. 
 
 Through him, display thyself, in our experience, as a 
 God pardoning iniquity, and subduing it. Justify us freely 
 from all things ; and sanctify us wholly, body, soul, and 
 spirit. May we be thy workmanship, created in Christ 
 Jesus, and prepared unto every good work. We groan 
 within ourselves, longing, not only for deliverance from 
 the wrath to come, but from the sin that dwelleth in. us ; 
 and praying, not only for an interest in thy favour, but a 
 participation of thy image. 
 
 If thou hast begun the good work in us, carry it on 
 unto the perfect day. Assure us of present assistance and 
 final success, whatever difficulties or oppositions we meet 
 with; that we may go on our way rejoicing, and be 
 strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And should 
 we walk in darkness and have no light, may we trust in 
 the Lord, and stay upon our God — Yet suffer us to im- 
 plore, that thou wilt make thy face to shine upon us, and 
 give us the full assurance of hope — which hope may we 
 have, as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, 
 in all the storms of life. 
 
 We bless thee for all that is past. Unless the Lord had 
 been our help, our souls had almost dwelt in silence : but 
 when we said, my foot slippeth, thy mercy, O Lord, held 
 us up. But we are still in the body, and in the wilder- 
 ness; we need thine aid as much as ever; we have a 
 growing sense of our ignorance, weakness, and danger — 
 O withdraw not thy presence, and take not thy Holy Spirit 
 from us. Whether we are called to do thy will, or to bear 
 it, may we feel that our help is in the name of the Lord, 
 who made heaven and earth. If our course conducts us 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 151 
 
 through rough and trying scenes, say to us, thy shoes 
 shall be iron and brass, and as thy days, so shall thy 
 strength be. In view of our encounter with our spiritual 
 foes, clothe us with the whole armour of God ; teach our 
 hands to war, and our fingers to fight ; and in the heat of 
 action tell our hearts, that we shall be more than con- 
 querors, through him that loved us. 
 
 And may we be concerned that the blessings we ask 
 for ourselves, may be imparted to others. Teach us to 
 love our neighbour as ourselves ; and may we often ex- 
 amine our conditions in life, our offices, our talents, and 
 our opportunities, to see how we may be serviceable in 
 our day and generation. 
 
 Comfort those that mourn in Zion. Let all the afflicted 
 find thee a very present, and an all-sufficient help in the 
 day of trouble. Provide for the poor and needy. Guide 
 those that need instruction ; and may integrity and up- 
 rightness preserve them while they wait upon thee. 
 
 Sanctify and continue to us, and to our latest posterity 
 after us, all our national blessings, civil and religious ; 
 and may our country, by its institutions, character, and 
 usefulness, be a praise in the whole earth. 
 
 These are great blessings for such sinful creatures as 
 we are, to ask — but thou hast given us a name to plead, 
 which is above every name. Behold — not our guilt, but 
 that blood which cleanseth from all sin; not our un- 
 worthiness, but that righteousness with which thou art 
 well pleased. And accept us in the beloved. Amen. 
 
 MONDAY EVENING. Jay. 
 
 O Lord, thou art over all by thy providential agency, 
 and rich unto all that call upon thee, in the exercise of 
 thy mercy and grace. With thee is the fountain of life, 
 and in thy light shall we see light. 
 
152 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 Help us to consider the way, the new and living way, 
 in which a fallen creature can approach thee with ac- 
 ceptance. May we behold the Lamb of God, that taketh 
 away the sin of the world. May we contemplate the 
 dignity of his person, the perfection of his sacrifice, and 
 the prevalency of his intercession, who is the great High 
 Priest over the house of God. And may we feel the dis- 
 tance between thee and us done away, and rejoice that 
 now, in Christ Jesus, we, who sometimes were afar off, 
 are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 
 
 A glorious high throne, from the beginning, has been 
 the place of thy people's sanctuary ; and we have found 
 it good to be there. O what a resource is devotion ! 
 When under all the toils that weary us, the cares that 
 corrode us, the infirmities that press us down, the fears 
 that disturb us — in every thing, by prayer and supplica- 
 tion with thanksgiving, we can make known our suppli- 
 cation unto God, and feel a peace which passeth all 
 understanding, keeping our hearts and minds through 
 Christ Jesus. 
 
 We were as sheep going astray, but are now return- 
 ing unto the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls. Yet we feel 
 the same grace that restored us, to be necessary to pre- 
 serve us, and to supply us. And hast not thou promised 
 to lead us, to guard us, to suffer us to want no good thing, 
 to make all grace to abound towards us? And art not 
 thou a faithful God, and able also to perform? Lord, 
 we take thee at thy word. Do as thou hast said. 
 
 We have tasted that thou art gracious, and the relish 
 has provoked our desire after more, and they who hunger 
 and thirst after righteousness are blessed, and shall be 
 filled. Make us to lie down in green pastures, and feed 
 us beside the still waters, where we shall often exclaim, 
 O how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty ! 
 
 We thank thee, O God, for thy merciful protection 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 153 
 
 through the day, and for all its blessings. We now com- 
 mit our bodies and souls to thy all-sufficient care. Suffer 
 no evil to befall our persons, and no plague to come nigh 
 our dwelling. May our sleep be sweet and refreshing, or 
 if thou holdest our eyes waking, may we remember thee 
 upon our bed, and meditate on thee, in the night watches. 
 
 We know not what a day may bring forth ; nor 
 would we, if it were in our power, draw back the veil 
 that hides the future, and learn the times and the seasons 
 which the Father hath put into his own power. But, O 
 be thou with us in all, and prepare us for all. Prepare us 
 for the smiles of prosperity : prepare us for the frowns 
 of adversity; prepare us for those losses in substance, 
 and those bereavements in friends — so possible, so proba- 
 ble in a world like this : prepare us for the days of dark- 
 ness, for they may be many ; prepare us for the change, 
 and when heart and flesh fail us, and we have no more 
 a portion in all that is done under the sun, be thou the 
 strength of our heart, and our portion for ever. 
 
 May our very memory be blessed. May those who 
 follow us, praise God that we have ever lived ; and may 
 we leave behind us those instructions, examples, and 
 effects, which shall glorify our God on earth, while our 
 spirits have joined the spirits of just men made perfect 
 in heaven. 
 
 And may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the 
 love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be 
 with us all evermore. Amen. 
 
 TUESDAY MORNING. Jay. 
 
 O thou, whose name alone is Jehovah, the Most High 
 over all the earth, we desire to adore the perfections of 
 thy nature, and to admire the works of thy hands. May 
 the united displays of thy greatness, and thy goodness, 
 
154 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 impress our minds, and influence our thoughts and affec- 
 tions, while we approach Thee. 
 
 Heaven is thy throne, and the earth is thy footstool. 
 The universe, with all its myriads of creatures, was made 
 by thy word, and is upholden by thy power ; and thou 
 dost according to thine own will in the army of heaven, 
 and among the inhabitants of the earth ; none can stay 
 thine hand, or say unto thee, What dost thou? 
 
 But thou art the Father of mercies, the God of al! 
 grace, and the God of all comfort. Even we, poor, 
 mean, dying creatures, are not beneath thy care. Thou 
 hast been mindful of us; thou hast visited us; and thy 
 visitation hath preserved our spirits. The lines are fallen 
 to us in pleasant places ; yea, we have a goodly heritage ; 
 we live in a land of vision ; we have the Scriptures in 
 our hands, and our ears hear the joyful sound of the Gos- 
 pel. We know that thou hast not spared thine own Son, 
 but delivered him up for us all. We know that he has 
 borne our grief, and carried our sorrow ; that his blood 
 cleanseth from all sin, and that whosoever believeth on 
 him, shall not perish, but have everlasting life. 
 
 We come in his name, and make mention of his right- 
 eousness only. We plead the obedience and sufferings 
 of him who magnified the law, both in its precept and 
 penalty, and made it honourable. May we be justified 
 by his blood ; and may we be saved by his life. May 
 we be joined to the Lord, and be of one spirit with him. 
 May we deny ourselves, and take up our cross, and fol- 
 low him. May the agency of thy grace prepare us foi 
 all the dispensations of thy providence. May we be 
 willing that the Lord should choose our inheritance foi 
 us, and determine what we shall retain or lose ; what we 
 shall suffer or enjoy. 
 
 If indulged with prosperity, may we be secured from 
 its snares, and use its advantages as not abusing them. 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 155 
 
 And may we patiently and cheerfully submit to those af- 
 flictions, which are necessary to hedge up our way when 
 we are tempted to wander, to excite an abhorrence of 
 sin, to wean us from the present evil world, and to make 
 us partakers of thy holiness. Only assure us, and we 
 shall learn in whatsoever state we are, therewith to be 
 content — only assure us, that thou wilt be with us in 
 trouble, and that at the end of the vale of tears, we shall 
 enter Emmanuel's land, where the inhabitants no more 
 say, I am sick ; where our sun shall no more go down, 
 nor our moon withdraw itself, but God shall be our 
 everlasting light, and the days of our mourning shall be 
 ended. 
 
 May our friends and relations be fellow-heirs with us 
 of the grace of life. Let our house be the tabernacle of 
 the righteous ; let our children and servants be a seed to 
 serve thee : and among none of those who surround this 
 family altar, may there be weeping and wailing, and 
 gnashing of teeth, when they shall see Abraham, and 
 Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of God, and they them- 
 selves shut out. 
 
 Lord, help us all to view our religious opportunities as 
 talents, for which we are accountable j to remember, that 
 our greatest danger results from our highest privileges ; 
 and to fear, lest a promise being left us of entering into 
 thy rest, any of us should seem to come short of it. 
 
 Tiiou hast determined the bounds of our habitation; 
 and by the events of thy providence, many of those in 
 whose society we delight are separated from us. When 
 we are absent in body, may we be often present in spirit. 
 We commend our absent friends and kindred to thy 
 covenant care. May no evil tidings concerning them, 
 wound our hearts : spare them in mercy : may we often 
 embrace each other in circumstances of health and 
 comfort : or if we have had our last interview on earth, 
 
156 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 may we all meet in our Heavenly Father's house, and 
 be for ever with each other and for ever with the Lord. 
 In hope of which, with every other blessing, we de- 
 voutly ascribe to the only wise God, our Saviour, praise 
 and glory everlasting. Amen. 
 
 TUESDAY EVENING. Jay. 
 
 O thou King of Glory, we desire to approach thy 
 divine Majesty with reverence and godly fear, and to 
 worship thee in the beauty of holiness. Every perfection 
 adorns thy nature, and sustains thy throne. The heavens 
 are thine ; the earth also is thine ; the world is thine and the 
 fulness thereof. Thy power drew the universe from no- 
 thing. Thy wisdom has managed all its multiplied con- 
 cerns, presiding over nations, families, and individuals, 
 and numbering the very hairs of our head. Thy good- 
 ness is boundless: the eyes of all wait upon thee, and 
 thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest 
 thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing. 
 How precious are the thoughts of thy mercy and grace 
 — and so excellent is thy loving kindness, that even 
 the children of men put their trust under the shadow of 
 thy wing. 
 
 Thou art the blessed and -happy God. O teach us to 
 place our happiness in thyself. May we never seek the 
 living among the dead, nor ask with the deluded many, 
 Who will show us any good ? But may we prize the 
 light of thy countenance; implore the joy of thy salva- 
 tion ; and passing by the attractions of creatures, be able 
 to say, Whom have I in heaven but thee, and there is 
 none upon earth that I desire beside thee. 
 
 Thou hast been infinitely more attentive to our 
 happiness than we ever have been, or ever can be. 
 Thou madest man upright, and when, by voluntary 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 157 
 
 transgression, we fell away from thee, thou didst not 
 treat us with severity, or the neglect we deserved. In 
 thy love and pity thou wast pleased to provide for us a 
 Saviour, who bore our grief and carried our sorrows, 
 and put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 
 
 Apply this redemption to our hearts, by the justifica- 
 tion of our persons, and the sanctifi cation of our natures. 
 We confess our transgressions — Have mercy on us. We 
 are heavy laden — Give us rest. We are ignorant — 
 Make us wise unto salvation. We are helpless — Let thy 
 strength be made perfect in our weakness. We are poor 
 and needy — Bless us all with the unsearchable riches of 
 Christ. Having begun a religious course, may we run 
 and not be weary, and walk and not faint. And though 
 perplexities, and trials, and dangers await us, yet we may 
 travel on, unchecked and undismayed, knowing thou hast 
 said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 
 
 We would feel the connexions which unite us to others, 
 and by sympathy, and prayer, and praise, make their 
 miseries and mercies our own. We would rejoice with 
 those that rejoice, and weep with those that weep. Pro- 
 vide support and employment for the poor, and may their 
 hands be sufficient for them. Make the widow's heart to 
 sing for joy ; and in thee may the fatherless find mercy. 
 Visit those who are on beds of sickness, and prepare them 
 for thy pleasure : that if they live, it may be to serve thee ; 
 and if they die, may ft be to enjoy "thee. Bless our nation. 
 May every department of our government be under the 
 control of infinite wisdom and goodness ; and let right- 
 eousness and peace be the stability of our times. Do 
 good, in thy good pleasure, unto Zion; build thou the 
 walls of Jerusalem : and may all our churches, like the 
 original disciples, continue steadfastly in the apostle's 
 doctrine, and in fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and 
 in prayers. 
 
 14 
 
158 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 Protect and refresh us through the night season ; and 
 then cause us to hear thy loving kindness in the morning : 
 for in thee do we trust ; cause us to know the way where- 
 in we should go, for we lift up our souls unto thee. We 
 implore it through the intercession of thy dear Son, and 
 our Saviour. 
 
 And blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be 
 unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, 
 for ever and ever. Amen. 
 
 WEDNESDAY MORNING. Jay. 
 
 O God, thou art incomprehensible, and in none of thy 
 works and ways, can any of thy creatures find thee out, 
 unto perfection. Yet thou hast not left thyself without 
 witness, nor called us to worship an unknown God. Thou 
 hast been pleased to reveal thyself to us, as far as our 
 wants and welfare require ; and among other endearing 
 characters, we can discern thee, as a God, hearing 
 prayer. 
 
 Thou never saidst to the seed of Jacob, seek ye me in 
 vain. A glorious high throne, from the beginning, has 
 been the place of thy people's sanctuary. And thither 
 w T ould we repair, in ali our difficulties, necessities, and 
 distresses, and find it good to draw near to God. Pos- 
 sess us with the spirit of grace, which is always a spirit 
 of supplication. May we live in a prayerful frame of 
 mind, that will always allow of our immediate and pleas- 
 ing intercourse with thee : in the ordinary concerns of 
 life, may our thoughts and desires often ascend the skies; 
 and in habitual devotion, may we find a resource, that 
 will soothe our sorrows, sanctify our success, and qualify 
 us for all our dealings with our fellow-creatures. 
 
 We bless thee that thou hast made us capable of know- 
 ing thee, the author of all being; of resembling thee, the 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 159 
 
 perfection of all excellency ; and of enjoying thee, the 
 source of all happiness. Though we are unworthy to 
 share in thy loving kindness, it is thy pleasure that we 
 seek after it ; and thou hast said, their hearts shall live 
 that seek God. Therefore, look thou upon us, and be 
 merciful unto us, as thou usest to do unto those that love 
 thy name. May we be accepted in the beloved, and 
 know that in him we have redemption through his blood, 
 even the forgiveness of our sins. May we view him as 
 the end of the law for righteousness to every one that 
 believeth ; and as the source of all that grace, by which 
 we are renewed in the spirit of our minds. May we 
 always contemplate our duties in connexion with those 
 promises which insure ability for the performance of 
 them ; and while \v r eak in ourselves, may we be strong in 
 the Lord, and in the power of his might, 
 
 Attend us, O God, in every part of our arduous and 
 trying pilgrimage. "We need the same counsel, the same 
 defence, the same comfort we implored at the moment 
 of our setting out — cast us not away from thy presence, 
 and take not thy Holy Spirit from us. May we live in 
 the Spirit, and may we walk in the Spirit. And may our 
 path be as the shining light, that shineth more and more 
 unto the perfect day. 
 
 Let our religion be more and more obvious to our con- 
 sciences ; and more perceptible to the eye of those around 
 us. May all that see and hear us, take knowledge of us, 
 that we have been with Jesus. While he is representing 
 us in heaven, may we represent him on earth ; while he 
 pleads our cause, may we plead his ; and be concerned 
 in all things to show forth his praise, who is making all 
 things work together for our good. i 
 
 Arise, O God, and plead thine own cause. Give the 
 word, and let the company of those that publish the glad 
 tidings of thy kingdom, be great. May thy house be 
 
160 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 filled with inhabitants, and thy table furnished with guests ; 
 and let all that love thy salvation say continually, the Lord 
 be magnified. 
 
 Be gracious to our absent connexions — our hearts' 
 desire and prayer to God for them is, that they may be 
 saved. 
 
 Continue the gentleness of thy goodness to this house- 
 hold. 
 
 To the care which has watched over us through an- 
 other night, we give up ourselves in prospect of the duties 
 and events of the day. Let thy presence go with us ; 
 and thy blessing attend us; and whether we wake or 
 sleep, may we live together with Christ. 
 
 In whose words w r e address thee, as Our Father, &c. 
 Amen. 
 
 WEDNESDAY EVENING. Jay. 
 
 O God, the day is thine, the night also is thine. Thou 
 makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to re- 
 joice. The heavens declare thy glory — the earth is full 
 of thy riches, and so is the great and wide sea. Thou art 
 the maker, and sustainer, and proprietor of all things. 
 We are the creatures of thy power, and the beneficiaries 
 of thy bounty. But we have sinned against heaven and 
 before thee, and are not worthy of the least of all the 
 mercies, and of all the truth which thou hast showed us. 
 We are of those that rebel against the light ; for we have 
 resisted the dictates of our consciences, the demands of 
 thy law, the admonitions of thy providence, and the calls 
 of the gospel of peace. We have made light of those things 
 which angels desire to look into ; we have neglected thy 
 great salvation, and we deserve that thy wrath should 
 come upon us, as the children of disobedience. 
 
 But we are in the land of the living, and under a dis- 
 pensation of hope. We fled for refuge to that dear 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 161 
 
 Saviour, who said, deliver him from going down into the 
 pit, I have found a ransom, and who himself bore our sin 
 in his own body on the tree. O that we may be found in 
 him, and know the power of his resurrection, and the fel- 
 lowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto 
 his death. May we not only be justified by his blood,, 
 and saved from wrath through him ; but may we derive 
 from him an influence, that shall subdue our iniquities, 
 and change us into his own image, from glory to glory, 
 as by the Spirit of the Lord. 
 
 Deliver us, we pray thee, from the views and disposi- 
 tions of men of the world, who have their portion in this 
 life. May we never look for that on earth, which can 
 only be found in heaven. Born from above, and bound 
 for glory, may we feel the heart of a stranger, and pass 
 the time of our sojourning here in fear. Reminded — 
 and, O how often are we reminded ! — that here we have 
 no continuing city, may w r e seek one to come ; and in 
 all the changing scenes of time, know in ourselves, that 
 in heaven we have a better and an enduring substance. 
 
 In our journeyings through a vale of tears, cast us not 
 away from thy presence, and take not thy Holy Spirit 
 from us. Be thou always within sight, or within call ; 
 for how often shall we have to address thee ! To thy 
 wisdom we must repair for direction, or we shall every 
 moment go astray. Thy power is our only safety. O 
 thou that savest by thy right hand, them that put their 
 trust in thee, from those that rise up against them, keep us 
 as the apple of the eye, and hide us under the shadow of 
 thy wing. Be thou our strength in weakness, and our 
 victory in conflict. We dare not say, we never will deny 
 thee ; but O grant that we never may. Establish our 
 hearts with grace, and deliver our feet from falling ; and 
 may we be sincere and without offence, until the day of 
 Christ. 
 
 14* 
 
162 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 These are great blessings for us to ask ; but we are 
 undone for ever without them, and thou hast encouraged 
 us to hope. We plead thy command and thy promises. 
 Ask and it shall be given you, seek and ye shall find, 
 knock and it shall be opened unto you. No suppliant, 
 however unworthy or guilty, was ever rejected, or in- 
 sulted at thy footstool ; and we come in the name of him 
 who made intercession for the transgressors. Him thou 
 hearest always, and to Him, with the Father, and the 
 Holy Spirit, be praises for ever and ever. Amen. 
 
 THURSDAY MORNING. Jay. 
 
 O Lord our God, blessed is the man whom thou 
 choosest, and causest to approach unto thee. In thy 
 presence there is fullness of joy, and at thy right hand 
 there are pleasures for evermore. With thee is the foun- 
 tain of life, and in thy light alone can we see light. 
 
 We therefore entreat thy favour, with our whole 
 hearts. We acknowledge that we have forfeited all 
 claims to it; and if we had no better ground of hope, 
 than our deservings, we must sink into despair. For 
 against thee, thee only have we sinned, and done evil in 
 thy sight, that thou mightest be justified when thou speak- 
 est, and clear when thou judgest. 
 
 But with thee there is mercy, and with thee there is 
 plenteous redemption. We bless thee for the assurance, 
 that thou hast sent thy own Son into the world, not to 
 condemn the world, but that the world, through him, 
 might be saved. We rejoice that neither the number nor 
 heinousness of our transgressions, is a bar to that for- 
 giveness, which is founded on the sufferings and sacrifice 
 of the cross. The blood of Jesus Christ, thy Son, 
 cleanseth from all sin. By the blood of that covenant 
 which he has ratified, send forth thy prisoners out of the 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 163 
 
 pit wherein there is no water. Graciously absolve us 
 from our guilt, and pronounce our discharge from all 
 condemnation, not only in the court of heaven, but in the 
 court of conscience, that being justified by faith, we may 
 have peace with God, and enjoy the glorious liberty of 
 his children. 
 
 May nothing render us forgetful of thy glory; may 
 nothing turn us aside from thy commands ; may nothing 
 shake our confidence in thy promises. Take from us the 
 evil heart of unbelief; the cause of all our waverings and 
 wanderings ; may we believe, that we may be established 
 in our goings ; and be always abounding in the work of 
 the Lord. 
 
 Prepare us for whatever we have to meet with, be- 
 tween this morning and the grave. We know not what 
 lies before us; but thou knowest, and thy grace can 
 make us sufficient for every service and every suffering. 
 Let not our temporal occupations ever injure our spirit- 
 ual concerns ; nor the cares of this life make us forget, 
 or neglect, the one thing needful ; may we learn the holy 
 art of abiding with God in our callings; of being in 
 the world without being of it; and of making every 
 thing not only consistent with religion, but conducive 
 to it. 
 
 May we do, and may we say nothing, by which we 
 shall offend against the generation of thy children. If 
 strong, may we bear the infirmities of the weak, and not 
 please ourselves. If preserved, may we restore a brother 
 that has been overtaken in a fault, in the spirit of meek- 
 ness, considering ourselves, lest we also be tempted. 
 
 Bless those who have done us good, and render seven 
 fold into their own bosom ; and forgive those who have 
 done us evil, and enable us to forgive them. 
 
 Bless those who are near and dear to us ; may they be 
 
164 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 near and dear to thee. Bless them in their outward com 
 forts ; but above all, may their souls prosper. 
 
 Be gracious to our native land. But mindful of our 
 rulers. Teach our senators wisdom ; and so control the 
 minds and hearts of those who are intrusted with the 
 public welfare, as that they may glorify thee, and secure 
 the good of the people. Bless the gates of Zion, and all 
 the dwellings of Jacob. Let thy secret reside in the fami- 
 lies of them that fear thee ; and may those that have ne- 
 glected to call upon thy name, immediately adopt the reso- 
 lution of Joshua, As for me and my house, we will serve 
 the Lord. 
 
 This morning sacrifice, we offer in the all prevailing 
 name of our adorable Redeemer — And unto him that 
 loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 
 and hath made us kings and priests unto God, and to his 
 Father, to him be glory and dominion, for ever and ever. 
 Amen. 
 
 THURSDAY EVENING. Jay. 
 
 Give ear to our words, O Lord ; consider our medita- 
 tion ; and enable us to approach thee, with becoming con- 
 ceptions of thy nature, relations, and designs. 
 
 Thou inhabitest eternity ; but our age is nothing before 
 thee. Thou dwellest in the heaven of heavens, and this 
 cannot contain thee; but w r e dwell in houses of clay, 
 whose foundation is in the dust. Thy power is Almighty, 
 but we are crushed before the moth. Thy understanding 
 is infinite, but we know nothing as we ought to know. 
 Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not 
 look upon iniquity ; but we are vile — what shall we an- 
 swer thee ? We cannot answer thee for one of a thousand 
 of our iniquities. And had we listened to the language of 
 our guilty consciences alone, we could not have entered 
 thy sacred presence. 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 165 
 
 But thou hast called us to thy footstool, thou hast 
 shown us a new and living way into the holiest, by the 
 blood of Jesus; and we have boldness, and access with 
 confidence, by the faith of him. We, therefore, draw 
 nigh, in full assurance of faith ; believing that we are as 
 welcome as we are unworthy ; and that the blessings we 
 are come to implore, are as free, as they are great and 
 numberless. O receive us graciously. Be merciful to 
 our unrighteousness. Adopt us into the household of faith; 
 and say to our souls, I am thy salvation. 
 
 And, O Lord, we pray that we may grow in grace. 
 If we have the reality of religion, how far are our works 
 from being found perfect before God ! Strengthen in us 
 the things that remain, that be ready to die ; and help us 
 to reach after the higher attainments and privileges of 
 the divine life, and not always live at this poor dying 
 rate. May we be followers of God as dear children, and 
 feel it the joy of our lives, to be holy, as thou art holy ; 
 and merciful, as thou art merciful. May thine eye be 
 more to us, than the inspection of all fellow-creatures ; 
 and thy approbation be dearer, than the applause of a 
 thousand worlds. 
 
 May no grace of the spirit be wanting in us ; may no 
 duty of our calling be neglected, or carelessly performed. 
 May our faith be a strong faith; our hope, a lively hope; 
 our charity, a fervent charity ; our conversation, a con- 
 versation becoming the gospel of Christ. May we stand 
 complete in all the will of God ; and may our light so 
 shine before men, that they may see our good works, 
 and glorify our Father, who is in heaven. 
 
 May we long to serve our generation according to thy 
 will ; may wisdom select and regulate our means ; and a 
 blameless and lovely consistency of character, give 
 w T eight to our endeavours. And may all our works begin, 
 continue, and end in thee. On thee may we depend for 
 
166 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 light to know, and disposition to choose, and strength to 
 perform, and submission to suffer, and patience to wait. 
 
 And when we have done all, may we acknowledge 
 that we are unprofitable servants, and confess that we 
 deserve condemnation for the defects of our obedience, 
 rather than a reward for its excellency. And looking off 
 from our duties, as well as our sins, to find a foundation 
 for our hope, may we rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no 
 confidence in the flesh. And may our persons and ser- 
 vices be accepted in the beloved. Shelter us through the 
 night; and in the morning, with renewed strength and 
 grateful hearts, may we rise to love thee more and serve 
 thee better, than we have done this day. These mercies, 
 and all other necessary blessings, we humbly ask in the 
 name, and through the merits of our Lord and Saviour, 
 Jesus Christ. Amen. 
 
 FRIDAY MORNING. Jay. 
 
 We would lift up our hearts, with our hands, unto God 
 in the heavens. Behold before thee, a company of highly 
 indulged, but sinful beings : for if we say we have no 
 sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 
 None of our fellow-creatures know half so much of our 
 depravity, as we ourselves know : and our knowledge is 
 ignorance, compared with thy wisdom. 
 
 But be astonished, O heavens ! and wonder, O earth ! 
 instead of such a deserved exclusion, thou hast even de- 
 vised means, that they who are banished, be not finally 
 expelled from thee ; means the most astonishing and glo- 
 rious, and which the angels desire to look into. For 
 thou hast so loved the world, as to give thine only begot- 
 ten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not 
 perish, but have everlasting life. In him mercy and truth 
 meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other; 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 167 
 
 and thy honour is not only secured, but prominently dis- 
 played, even in our escape from thine own threatenings. 
 In him the enslaved can find redemption ; the guilty, par- 
 don; the unholy, renovation. In him is everlasting 
 strength for the weak, and unsearchable riches for the 
 needy ; in him we find all the treasures of wisdom and 
 knowledge for the ignorant — in him all fullness dwells. 
 
 We bless thee for the provision, which thy infinite 
 goodness has made for our everlasting welfare ; and for 
 the gospel of our salvation, which makes it known; and 
 which not only reveals it to our view, but proposes it to 
 our hope, and presses it upon our acceptance. 
 
 O Lord, at thy gracious call, we hear ; we look ; we 
 come ; we apply ; we receive. We not only submit to 
 the scheme of mercy, but we acquiesce in it; we glory 
 in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ ; we joy in God 
 through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now 
 received the atonement. We bless thee, that in this grace 
 we stand. Thou hast rendered the blessings as secure as 
 they are glorious; and we are persuaded, that neither 
 death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, 
 nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor 
 depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate 
 us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus, our 
 Lord. 
 
 Yea, for ever blessed be thy name, thou hast not only 
 provided for our safety, but our prosperity. Thou hast 
 not only promised that the righteous shall hold on their 
 way, but wax stronger and stronger. Thou dost not de- 
 spise the day of small things; but thou givest more 
 grace ; and hast commanded us to ask and receive, that 
 our joy may be full. 
 
 And now, O Lord, what shall we render for all thy 
 benefits towards us? We can never discharge the obli- 
 gations we are under — but we pray that we may be sen- 
 
168 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 sible of them ; and though we can make no adequate re- 
 turns, may we make suitable ones ; and ever ask from 
 the heart, as well as with the lip, Lord what wilt thou 
 have me to do 1 
 
 And may we show forth thy praise. May we speak 
 well of thy name. May we be concerned to bring others 
 to love and serve thee ; and to share with us, in all the 
 good which thou hast spoken concerning Israel. 
 
 O, let our children be thy children ; our friends thy 
 friends ; our servants thy servants. 
 
 May our neighbours, and our enemies too, be visited 
 with thy salvation. 
 
 Dwell in our families. Let thy goings be seen in our 
 sanctuaries. Let the people praise thee, O God ; yea, let 
 all the people praise thee. Let the whole earth be filled 
 with thy glory. 
 
 Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, 
 that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of 
 his word. Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts, ye minis- 
 ters of his that do his pleasure. Bless the Lord, all his 
 works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the Lord, O 
 my soul. Amen and Amen. 
 
 FRIDAY EVENING. Jay. 
 
 When we enter thy presence, O God, we see thee in 
 all the glory of thy perfections, seated on a throne of uni- 
 versal and everlasting empire, thousands ministering unto 
 thee, and ten thousand times ten thousand standing be- 
 fore thee. Impress our minds with a consciousness of thy 
 greatness ; not to drive us back from thee, but to inspire 
 us with reverence and godly fear, in approaching thee ; 
 not to diminish our confidence in thee, but to lead us to 
 admire the vastness of thy condescension, in deigning to 
 open communications with creatures so mean and vile as 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 169 
 
 we are. Lord, what is man, that thou art mindful of him; 
 or the son of man, that thou visitest him ? 
 
 And, yet thou hast been mindful of us ; thou hast visited 
 us. We have been thy charge from the womb ; and thou 
 hast, in all conditions, cared for us. We have been con- 
 stantly fed at thy table ; and clothed by thy bounty. How 
 often hast thou drawn the curtain of night around us, and 
 ordered creation to be quiet, while thy children have 
 slumbered and slept! Thy mercies have been new every 
 morning. Thy goodness has inspired our relations and 
 friends with all the sentiments of tenderness and respect, 
 they have ever expressed tow r ards us. And we would not 
 overlook the blessings of the life that now is — 
 
 But, O Lord, suffer us not to forget that we want bet- 
 ter blessings than these. We want a hope beyond the 
 grave. We are guilty, depraved, dying creatures. We 
 need pardon and holiness, and wisdom, and strength, and 
 peace, and joy ; we want the earnests and foretastes of 
 immortality. And blessed be thy name, what we so much 
 need, and hope we can say, so much desire, thou hast 
 provided. We thank thee for thy unspeakable gift. We 
 rejoice, that we have our existence in a land of Gospel 
 privileges ; and where one of the first sounds that entered 
 our infant ears, from the lips of maternal piety, was the 
 name of Jesus. We rejoice that we have been led to 
 view him, not only as a teacher, and an example, but as 
 the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the 
 world ; and that now in Christ Jesus, we, who sometimes 
 were far off, are made nigh by the blood of Christ ; and 
 have boldness and access with confidence, by the faith 
 of him. 
 
 May we look after actual and personal benefit from 
 him, and never be satisfied, till we can say, I know whom 
 I have believed, and am persuaded, that he is able to 
 keep that which I have committed to him against that 
 
 15 
 
170 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 day. Possess us with more of that faith, which is the 
 principle and medium of all vital godliness; may we be 
 rich in faith ; may we be strong in faith. By faith may 
 we walk. May we feel the joy of faith ; and do the work 
 of faith. May we abound in hope ; may the charity of 
 every one of us, towards each other, increase ; and may 
 we be filled with all the fruits of righteousness, which 
 are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. 
 
 Through another day thou hast spared us, and blessed 
 us. May thy goodness lead us to repentance, and thy 
 long-suffering prove our salvation. Let no evil befall us, 
 and no plague come nigh our dwelling, this night ; and 
 in the morning may we rise to walk before the Lord, in 
 the land of the living, and to show forth all his praise. 
 
 We implore it, in the name of him who died for our sins, 
 rose again for our justification, and ever liveth to make 
 intercession for us ; and to whom, with the Father, and 
 Holy Spirit, be ascribed everlasting praise. Amen. 
 
 SATURDAY MORNING. Jay. 
 
 Let not the Lord be angry, while we, who are but dust 
 and ashes, take upon us to speak unto the living God. 
 Pardon our unworthiness ; help our infirmities; and 
 hearken unto the voice of our cry, our king and our God, 
 for unto thee will we pray. 
 
 Thou art good to all; and we have largely shared 
 with thy creatures, the bounties of thy providence: our 
 forfeited lives have not only been continued, but crowned 
 with thy goodness. Thou hast provided for our souls as 
 well as for our bodies ; and we hear a thousand voices in- 
 viting us to the feast, and saying, Come, for all things are 
 now ready. Thanks be unto God, for his unspeakable 
 gift ; we bless thee for a Saviour, who died for our sins, 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 171 
 
 and rose again for our justification, and is now ascended 
 far above all heavens that he might fill all things. 
 
 May we be made the partakers of Christ, and not only 
 of his righteousness — but of his spirit : that we may be 
 — not only padoned but renewed ; and not only have a 
 title to heaven, but a meetness for it. No longer alienated 
 from the life of God, may our meditations of thee be 
 sweet, and may we draw near to thee as to our exceed- 
 ing joy. May we confide in thy promises, and rely on 
 thy constant protection and care. May we be devoted 
 to thy service, and find it perfect freedom. May we love 
 obedience ; may thy law be within our heart 
 
 May thy cause be dear to our souls. We pray that 
 thy word may have free course and be glorified. Let thy 
 church not only be multiplied in number, but increased 
 in knowledge, and sanctity, and peace, and concord, and 
 joy; so that it may be a praise in the whole earth. Let 
 the light of the moon be as the light of the sun, and the 
 light of the sun be seven-fold, as the light of seven days. 
 For brass, bring gold ; and for iron, silver ; and for wood, 
 brass ; and for stones, iron. 
 
 Thou dost not stand in need of us; but in thy conde- 
 scension and wisdom, thou art pleased to make use of 
 means ; and we desire the honour and happiness of being 
 instruments in thy hand. Lord, what wilt thou have us 
 to do 1 We would value every day afforded us, as a 
 new period of usefulness. May we be anxious to accom- 
 plish all we can to alleviate human woe, and to advance 
 the temporal and spiritual welfare of all around us. 
 
 And may we be not only zealous, but persevering. May 
 we never be discouraged. May we never grow weary 
 in well-doing. 
 
 While many go back after following the Saviour, may 
 we cleave to him with purpose of heart; and at last, 
 hear him say, Ye are they who have continued with me 
 
172 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 in my temptation, and I appoint unto you a kingdom, as 
 my Father also hath appointed unto me. 
 
 We wpuld not forget the afflicted. Hear the sighing 
 of the needy ; cause the widow's heart to sing for joy ; 
 and in thee may the fatherless find mercy. Remove in- 
 disposition and disease from those who are exercised 
 thereby ; or assure them of that world where the inhabit- 
 ant no more says, I am sick. 
 
 Be with us all through the changing scenes of life, and 
 at the hour of dissolution ; when heart and flesh fail — 
 and fail they soon will — be thou the strength of our 
 heart, and our portion for ever. If death should be sud- 
 den, let it not find us unprepared ; if it should be awful 
 in the apprehension, let it be safe in the result; and if we 
 cannot depart in triumph, may we expire in humble hope ; 
 saying with numbers before us, 
 
 A guilty, weak, and helpless worm, 
 
 On thy kind arm I fall ; 
 Be thou my strength and righteousness, 
 
 My Jesus and my all. 
 
 And through eternal ages, may it be our privilege to 
 unite with those who are singing, unto him that loved us, 
 and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath 
 made us kings and priests unto God, and to his Father, 
 be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen 
 
 SATURDAY EVENING. Jay. 
 
 O Lord God of Hosts; thou hast established thy 
 throne in the heavens, and thy kingdom ruleth over all. 
 It is a source of joy to our minds, and of encouragement 
 to our hopes, that the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth. 
 In thy greatness, we see thy all-sufficiency to accomplish 
 all that thou hast promised ; to confer upon us all we 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 173 
 
 need ; and to do for us exceeding abundantly, above all 
 we can ask or think. 
 
 It is, therefore, good for us to draw near to thee ; and 
 it is our mercy to know, that we can approach thee with 
 confidence of acceptance and success, founded not on 
 any worthiness or works of our own, but on thy own 
 grace, in the appointment of a Mediator, who hast put 
 away sin by the sacrifice of himself, and opened a new 
 and living way, into the holiest of all, by his own blood. 
 
 We have no other name to plead ; and we need no 
 other. Behold, O God, our shield, and look upon the face 
 of thine Anointed : and for his sake, who groaned in the 
 garden, and died upon the cross, and now appears in thy 
 presence for us, pardon our iniquity, for it is great; 
 cleanse us from all unrighteousness ; deliver us from the 
 power of darkness ; and translate us into the kingdom of 
 thy dear Son. 
 
 May we no longer be strangers and foreigners, but fel- 
 low citizens with the saints, and of the household of 
 God ; and because we are sons, send forth the spirit of 
 thy Son into our hearts, crying Abba, Father. May our 
 intercourse with thee, be free and delightful, and constant ; 
 and not on peculiar occasions only, but in every thing, 
 by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, may we 
 make known our requests unto thee. May we live in thy 
 presence. 
 
 May we walk with God — and walk humbly with God ; 
 sensible of our deficiencies and desert ; admiring thy con- 
 descension and patience ; and bowing to all thy dispensa- 
 tions, without murmuring or repining. 
 
 May we not only submit to our trials, but be grateful 
 for them. They are designed for our profit, that we may 
 be partakers of thy holiness. They evince a care of 
 which we are unworthy, and which we have never pro- 
 perly repaid. Lord, what is man, that thou shouldst 
 
 15* 
 
174 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 magnify him? that thou shouldst set thy heart upon him; 
 that thou shouldst visit him every morning, and chasten 
 him every moment 1 So impatient, and wayward, and 
 foolish have we been under thy hand, that we have for- 
 feited all claim to the rod, and deserve to be stricken no 
 more. It would be just in thee to say, They are joined to 
 idols, let them alone. But, O Lord, abandon us not to 
 ourselves ; treat us not with neglect. Employ whatever 
 means are necessary to save and sanctify our souls. Try 
 us as thou pleasest, only while we are chastened of the 
 Lord, let us not be condemned with the wicked. 
 
 Humble us under a review of our depravity, through 
 another day, and another week, which is now hastening 
 to join the days and weeks before the flood. Who can 
 understand his errors'? In many things we all offend. 
 Hide thy face from our sins. Heal our backslidings, and 
 receive us graciously. 
 
 On the coming day, let thy good spirit lead us to thy 
 holy hill, and to thy tabernacle. May we go unto the 
 altar of God as to our exceeding joy, and taste the 
 blessedness of those that dwell in thy house, and are stil 1 
 praising thee. Teach us to value properly the means of 
 grace, and be concerned to derive from them, the benefit 
 they are designed to afford. May we remember our ac- 
 countableness for them. May we remember, that they 
 never leave us as they find us ; but always prove the 
 savour of life unto life, or of death unto death. 
 
 Let not our attendance add to our sins and condemna- 
 tion. Let us not sing without devotion, pray without de- 
 sire, and hear in vain ; but be found in the number of 
 those, who know the joyful sound, and walk in the fear 
 of the Lord, and in the comforts of the Holy Ghost. 
 
 And may those who will not be able to hear the word, 
 hear the rod, and hear it saying, As many as I love, I 
 rebuke and chasten. Let meditation, and reading, and 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 175 
 
 pious conversation, and above all, thy special presence, 
 be substitutes for public ordinances. And have mercy 
 upon all men, as we implore it through the mediation of 
 the ever blessed Redeemer, in whose words we address 
 thee. — Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy 
 name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth, as it 
 is in heaven ; give us this day our daily bread, and for- 
 give us our trespasses as we forgive those that trespass 
 against us ; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver 
 us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, the power, and the 
 glory, for ever. Amen. 
 
 FOURTH WEEK. 
 
 SUNDAY MORNING. Ed, 
 
 Almighty and ever blessed God, in whom we live, and 
 move, and have our being ! we adore thee as our Creator, 
 Preserver, and Benefactor. Enable us at this time to 
 worship thee, who art a Spirit, in spirit and in truth. We 
 believe that thou art, and that thou art the rewarder of 
 all those who diligently seek, and faithfully serve thee. 
 Thou hast mercifully defended us from all the dangers 
 of the past night, and kindly brought us to the light, and 
 duties, and privileges of another Sabbath day. We would 
 adore that ever watchful Providence, which has hitherto 
 guarded our bodies and souls from the perils to which 
 they have been constantly exposed. We would bless and 
 praise thee, O thou Keeper of Israel ! for that undeserved 
 protection which thou hast extended over us. We bless 
 thee for the comfortable supply of all our wants, and for 
 the bountiful provision thou hast graciously made for our 
 temporal and spiritual necessities. Especially we would 
 call upon our souls, and all that is within us, to magnify 
 
176 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 the riches of that grace which thou hast exercised in the 
 gift of thy only begotten Son, to be a sacrifice for our 
 sins. We render thee hearty thanks for the gift of the 
 Holy Ghost, for all the ordinances of thine house, for the 
 promises of thy word, and for the hope of glory through 
 thy grace. May we this day worship thee in the beauty 
 of holiness. May thy truth be food to our souls, and 
 may we be strengthened thereby for every duty and trial 
 of life. Aid thy ministering servants to declare thy whole 
 counsel this day. With fidelity and simplicity may they 
 preach Christ crucified to perishing sinners. And may 
 thy gospel prove to be the wisdom and power of God, to 
 their salvation. 
 
 Most merciful Father, own us, who are now bowed 
 before thee, to be thy children. Grant us the spirit of 
 adoption, and may thy Spirit witness with our spirits that 
 we have been begotten through thy truth, and renewed 
 unto thy most holy image. May we daily grow in grace, 
 and in the knowledge of thy Son, and steadily walk in 
 the ways of thy commandments. Shed abroad thy love 
 in our hearts, and renew us more and more in the tem- 
 per of our minds. May all the members of this family 
 belong to the household of faith, and may they bring forth 
 fruits meet for repentance. May our lives and conver- 
 sation be such as becometh the gospel of Christ ; and may 
 every Christian grace be in lively exercise in our hearts. 
 Our iniquities are many and great in thy sight, and they 
 have been aggravated by the mercies thou hast bestowed 
 upon us, and by the privileges we have enjoyed. We 
 come short of thy glory, and richly deserve thy wrath. 
 But our hope is in thee. The blood of Christ cleanseth 
 from all sin, and through his righteousness we may be 
 justified. For his sake, O God, have mercy on us, and 
 pardon our sins. Give us true repentance and deep hu- 
 mility, and enable us to exercise saving faith in the atone- 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 177 
 
 ment of our divine Redeemer. May the knowledge of the 
 Saviour soon cover the earth, as the waters cover the 
 sea. May thy name be hallowed throughout the world, 
 and may all nations be soon brought to the obedience 
 of the faith of the gospel. All we ask and offer is through 
 the prevailing name of our adorable Mediator, to whom 
 be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 
 
 SUNDAY EVENING. Jenks. 
 
 O Lord ! thou dost not bid us seek thy face in vain, nor 
 serve thee for nought ; but thou hast pleasure in the pros- 
 perity of thy servants, and dost bless us, not according 
 to our imperfect services, but according to the infinite 
 riches of thy mercy. Thy laws, O gracious Lord, are 
 holy, just, and good, tending to promote our present and 
 eternal happiness : it is therefore nothing in them, but the 
 sinfulness of our depraved nature, that makes them ap- 
 pear grievous and hard. Nor is it any thing in thy blessed 
 service, but in sluggishness and indisposition of our own 
 vile hearts, that makes tedious to us any part of that 
 work which is the joy of angels, and the honour and in- 
 terest of all who serve thee. 
 
 Holy God ! we are all as an unclean thing, and all our 
 righteousnesses are as filthy rags ; nor can we hope to 
 be justified in thy sight, on account of any works or 
 worth of our own ; for by our own hearts and deeds we 
 are reproved and condemned, and should be left speech- 
 less in thy judgment, if thou, O Lord, shouldst call us to 
 account, according to the merits even of our best services. 
 But we desire to take refuge and sanctuary under the 
 shadow of our crucified Saviour ; and to be found in him, 
 not having on our own righteousness which is of the law, 
 but that which is by the faith of Jesus Christ, that the 
 shame of our nakedness may be covered, and all our sin- 
 
178 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 ful deformities hid from thine eyes ; that thou mayest for- 
 give us mercifully, and receive us graciously, and love 
 us freely in the Son of thy love, in whom thou art well 
 pleased. 
 
 Command thy blessing, O Lord ! we pray thee, upon 
 the word which we have this day heard, and upon all 
 the means of grace that have been employed for the good 
 of our souls. It is not of him that planteth, nor of him 
 that watereth, but of thee, our God, who giveth the in- 
 crease. O be thou pleased to follow the preaching of thy 
 word with the powerful influences of thy grace and holy 
 Spirit, that it may be the savour of life to our souls, and 
 the power of God to our salvation. O let us so hide thy 
 word in our hearts, that we may not sin against thee, but 
 that it may be a treasure within us ; to strengthen us in 
 every hour of temptation, and aid us in all times of need ; 
 that we may walk more humbly and closely with thee, 
 and more circumspectly before the world. 
 
 Supply the want of thy public ordinances, we beseech 
 thee, by the immediate teaching of thy good Spirit, to all 
 such as through any unavoidable hindrances are kept 
 from them. Continue to us, O gracious Lord, the light 
 of thy gospel, and all the opportunities of serving thee, 
 which we now enjoy. And preserve us by thy grace, 
 from the curse of barrenness, under all thine abundant 
 mercies and the means of grace ; for it were better never 
 to have had them, than not to be the better for them. 
 That they may not, therefore, rise up in judgment against 
 us, O make them now efficacious, and write thy laws in 
 our hearts, and accomplish all the purposes of grace in 
 our souls, that thy truth may shine forth with a convinc- 
 ing splendour in our lives. 
 
 We give thee thanks, O Lord God, our heavenly 
 Father ! for the mercies of this day, and for thy great 
 mercy and goodness which has hitherto followed us all 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 179 
 
 the days of our lives. Blessed be thy name, O most 
 merciful Father, that thou hast defended us from so many 
 dangers in our lives, which threatened to destroy us, and 
 delivered us out of so many troubles, under which we 
 should have sunk and perished, if thou hadst not been 
 nigh to us, and done great things for us. We bless thee 
 for our health and plenty, peace and liberty, for the use 
 of our reason, limbs and senses, and for the comforts of 
 all thy good creatures ; for the kindness of friends, and 
 safety from our enemies ; for the benefits and refreshments 
 of society, and the success and prosperity of our affairs 
 here in the world. But above all, we bless thee for the mer- 
 cies and blessings relating to the world ^o come ; for Je- 
 sus Christ, and all spiritual blessings in heavenly things 
 in him, tending to the salvation of our souls; for remem- 
 bering us in our low estate, and sending eternal redemp- 
 tion to us by the hands of thy dear Son ; for the light 
 and direction of thy word ; for the teachings and striv- 
 ings, the aids and consolations of thy Spirit ; for all the 
 means and helps which we have to do us good ; for all 
 thy grace wrought in us, and bestowed upon us ; and for 
 all the discoveries and hopes of eternal glory w T hich thou 
 hast given to us. O how infinitely indebted are we to the 
 kindness and love of God our Saviour ! O that we may 
 ever be sensible and thankful as we ought ! And with all 
 that thou hast given us, blessed God, give us hearts filled 
 with thy love, and lifted up in thy praise, and devoted to 
 thy honour and service. 
 
 Defend us, O Lord ! from the dangers of this night, 
 and bring us in peace and health to the light and duties 
 of another day. Forgive all the sins we have committed 
 this day, and especially the sins which have mixed with 
 our holy employments. To us belong shame and confu- 
 sion. To thee belong praise and glory, which, through 
 Christ our Mediator, we would render for ever and ever. 
 Amen. 
 
180 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 MONDAY MORNING. Lon. Ch. Ob. 
 
 Almighty and ever-living God ! we acknowledge our- 
 selves bound, by innumerable obligations, to praise and 
 adore, to love and serve thee. From thee we have re- 
 ceived our being. Thou art our constant preserver and 
 bountiful benefactor ; the source of every present enjoy- 
 ment, and the spring of all our future hopes. Thou hast 
 also, in thine infinite condescension, been pleased to look 
 down with pity on our fallen race, and freely to offer sal- 
 vation to us through Jesus Christ We adore thee for 
 the knowledge of thy will, for the promises of thy mer- 
 cy and grace, ana" for the joyful prospect of eternal life 
 so clearly revealed in thy holy word. Possess our minds, 
 O Lord, with such a deep sense and firm persuasion of 
 the important truths which are there made known to us, 
 as shall powerfully influence and regulate all our thoughts, 
 words, and actions. 
 
 But while we celebrate thy goodness towards us, we 
 have cause to be ashamed of our own conduct. We 
 have good reason, O Lord, to be humbled before thee on 
 account of the coldness and insensibility of our hearts ; 
 the disorder and irregularity of our lives ; and the pre- 
 valence of worldly and carnal affections within us. Too 
 often have we indulged the passions and appetites which 
 we ought to have opposed and subdued, and have left 
 our duty unperformed : and we find a daily occasion to 
 lament our proneness to corrupt inclinations and sinful 
 lusts, and our reluctance to the practice of what is 
 agreeable to thy will. O Lord, be merciful to us miserable 
 sinners, and forgive us for thy Son Jesus Christ's sake. 
 Produce in us deep and unfeigned repentance for our 
 manifold transgressions ; and a lively faith in that Saviour 
 who hath died for our sins, and risen again for our justi- 
 fication. And may thy pardoning mercy be accompa- 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 181 
 
 nied with the sanctifying influence of thy Holy Spirit, 
 that we may no more sin against thee ; but may we live, 
 from henceforth, as becomes the redeemed of the Lord, 
 and the candidates for a happy immortality. Put thy 
 fear into our hearts that we may never more depart from 
 thee. May thy blessed will set bounds to our desires, 
 and regulate all our passions. May our affections be 
 fixed, not on present objects, but on those which are un- 
 seen and eternal. Convince us more effectually of the 
 vanity of this world, and its utter insufficiency to make 
 us happy; of the vileness of sin, and its tendency to make 
 us for ever miserable ; of the value of our souls, and the 
 awfulness of that everlasting state on the borders of which 
 we are standing : and may we be serious and diligent 
 in our preparation for death and judgment. 
 
 We desire this morning to offer thee the sacrifice of 
 thanksgiving for the watchful care of thy Providence exer- 
 cised over us during the past night. We laid us down to 
 sleep, and, blessed be thy name, we have arisen in safety. 
 May the lives which thou hast mercifully prolonged be 
 devoted entirely to thy service. Graciously continue thy 
 protection and favour to us this day. Save us from sin, 
 we beseech thee, and from all other evils, if it be thy 
 blessed will. Enable us faithfully to perform every re- 
 lative duty under an abiding sense of thy presence and of 
 our accountableness to thee. May we, as a family, dwell 
 together in peace and unity. May we put away from us 
 every angry and discordant passion; and loving thee 
 with a supreme affection, may we love each other 
 with pure hearts fervently. Preserve us, O Lord, from 
 the influence of those temptations to which we are daily 
 exposed. Make us duly sensible of our own weakness, 
 that our hearts may be raised to thee in humble and fer- 
 vent supplications for the needful supplies of grace and 
 strength. When we are in company, may it be our care 
 
 16 
 
182 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 to do and to receive as much good as possible. When 
 we are alone, may we remember that our heavenly 
 father is with us; and may this thought excite in us an 
 earnest desire to act as in thy sight. 
 
 Bless, we pray thee, the President of these United 
 States, and all others in authority. Endue them plenteously 
 with wisdom and grace from on High. May all mankind 
 be visited with the light of the gospel ; and may its influ 
 ence be more widely diffused in this land. In tender mer- 
 cy regard all who are in affliction of whatever kind. 
 Grant unto our dear friends and relations every blessing 
 which thou knowest to be needful for them. May they 
 and we experience thy favour in this life, and in the 
 world to come life everlasting. 
 
 We offer up these our imperfect prayers in the name 
 of our only mediator and advocate Jesus Christ. Amen. 
 
 MONDAY EVENING. Lon. Ch. Ob. 
 
 Almighty and most merciful Father, in whom we live 
 and move, and have our being : to thy tender compassion 
 are we indebted for all the comforts of the present life, 
 and for the hopes of that which is to come. We bless 
 thy great goodness for the measure of health which we 
 have this day enjoyed ; for our food and raiment ; for 
 our peace and safety ; for our domestic and social en- 
 joyments ; for the use of our reason ; and for the op- 
 portunities of religious improvement with which we have 
 been favoured. But above all, we acknowledge, with 
 thankful adoration, thine inestimable love in sending thy 
 Son Jesus Christ into the world, to die for our sins, and 
 to rise again for our justification. To this love we owe 
 thy forbearance with us, thine unwearied patience to- 
 wards us, the gracious invitations of thy word, thy pro- 
 mises of pardon, reconciliation, and eternal life, and the 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 183 
 
 gift of thy holy spirit to renew our fallen natures and to 
 enable us to perform thy righteous will. 
 
 Here, O Lord, in thy presence, would we bewail our 
 carelessness and inconsideration in time past, and the in- 
 numerable sins whereby we have provoked thee to with- 
 draw thy tender mercies from us, and to abandon us to 
 the natural blindness and hardness of our hearts. Our 
 lives, even during the day which is now drawing to a 
 close, have little corresponded with those obligations 
 which our christian profession lays upon us, and which, 
 by our baptismal engagement, we have solemnly promised 
 to fulfil. We have loved the world more than God ; and 
 we have been pursuing its vain and worthless objects, 
 far more eagerly than the glory and the treasures of thy 
 kingdom. How little, O Lord, have we felt the force of 
 gratitude to thee and to Christ, as the animating spring 
 of our obedience ! How little have we been restrained 
 by thy fear and by the recollection of thy presence, from 
 transgressing thy commandments ! How little has it even 
 been in our thoughts or intentions to please thee and to 
 do thy will ! 
 
 O Lord, lay not our sins to our charge. Be merciful, 
 we beseech thee, to our unrighteousness, through the 
 blood of the Lamb of God which was shed for the sins 
 of the world. Remember not against us, O Lord, the 
 vanity of our thoughts, the errors of our judgment, the 
 pride of our spirit, the inordinateness of our desires, the 
 violence of our passions, the inconstancy of our resolu- 
 tions, the selfishness of our motives, or the unworthiness 
 of our ends. Let not the time we have wasted, the 
 talents we have misapplied, or the grace we have abused ; 
 let not our unkindness to others, nor our ingratitude to 
 thee, rise up in judgment against us. But grant unto us 
 thy gracious pardon for the past ; and bestow on us the 
 grace of thy holy spirit to renew us in body, soul, and 
 
184 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 spirit, and to enable us to amend our lives according to 
 thy holy word. Inspire us, O Lord, with such an affect- 
 ing sense of thy love to us, as may powerfully excite our 
 love to thee, and produce in us a greater earnestness, 
 zeal, and diligence, in all our duty. May thy favour be 
 the great object of our desire and pursuit, and by thy 
 grace may we be restored to such a lively image of thy- 
 self in all righteousness, purity, goodness, and truth, that 
 we may have an abiding testimony of thy love. May 
 the holy dispositions of Jesus Christ be formed within us, 
 that we may walk in all humility, meekness, patience, 
 contentedness, and self-denial, and make an entire sur- 
 render of our souls and bodies to thy holy will and plea- 
 sure. May Christ reign in our hearts, that we may no 
 longer live to ourselves, but to him ; and that the life we 
 lead in the flesh may be by the faith of the Son of God, 
 who loved us, and gave himself for us. 
 
 And the same mercies which we implore for ourselves, 
 we desire also for the rest of mankind, especially for all 
 who are called by the name of Christ. Put an end, O 
 Lord, to the wars which desolate the earth, and cause 
 the gospel of peace to extend its influence from the rising 
 to the setting sun. Avert from this nation the evils which 
 we feel or fear. May our rulers rule in thy fear, for 
 the good of this nation, and to the extension of thy glory. 
 May the ministers of Christ guide their flock with true 
 wisdom and fidelity ; and may the people follow their 
 godly counsels. J^Tay the rich have compassion on the 
 poor, and learn to trust, not in uncertain riches, but in 
 the living God. May the poor of this world be rich in 
 faith and a contented spirit, and heirs of thy kingdom. 
 Give thy grace to husbands and wives, parents and child- 
 ren, masters and servants, that in their several relations 
 they may so behave themselves as to adorn the doctrine 
 of God our Saviour in all things. May all who are en- 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 185 
 
 deared to us, by whatever ties, be dear to thee, and have 
 their final portion with the saints in thy glorious kingdom. 
 
 And now that we are about to lay ourselves down to 
 rest, receive us, O Lord, into thy gracious protection. 
 Refresh us with comfortable sleep : and when we awake 
 in the morning may our first thoughts be directed to thee, 
 our merciful Preserver. Defend us from the powers of 
 darkness, and from all evil accidents; and may our 
 minds enjoy such delightful views of thee and of thy 
 glory, and be so weaned from this world, that we may 
 be willing at thy call, to depart hence, and to be with 
 Christ. 
 
 Hear, O Lord, these our imperfect prayers which we 
 present unto thee in the name and through the mediation 
 of Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. 
 Amen. 
 
 TUESDAY MORNING. Ed. 
 
 O Lord, the blessed God of our salvation ! thou art the 
 hope of all the ends of the earth, upon whom the eyes 
 of all do wait ; for thou hast made us, and dost preserve 
 us. On thee we depend for every good thing. From 
 thee cometh down every good and perfect gift. Although 
 we have rebelled against thee, thou hast not destroyed 
 us, but art still gracious, and ready to forgive. Thou 
 hast watched over us during the hours of our rest. Thou 
 hast permitted no evil to come nigh us. And thou hast 
 brought us in peace and safety to the light and duties of 
 another day. We bless and praise thee for this unde- 
 served protection. Thy mercies are new every morning, 
 and renewed every evening. Thou art continually af- 
 fording us fresh occasions for praise and thankfulness. 
 O may thy goodness lead us to unfeigned repentance. 
 May thy preserving care be extended to us this day. 
 Keep us by thy mighty power from evil and danger of 
 
 16* 
 
186 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 every kind, and enable us to live not unto ourselves, but 
 unto thee. May we daily walk in the way of thy com- 
 mandments, glorifying thee in our souls and bodies which 
 are thine. Thou hast assured us in thy word, that if we 
 acknowledge thee in all our ways, thou wilt direct our 
 path : we would, therefore, commit ourselves and all that 
 concerns us, entirely to thee, to be guided by thy wisdom, 
 and disposed of to the glory of thy name. 
 
 O Lord ! take not thy Holy Spirit from us, nor with- 
 hold from us the comforts of thy presence. Our great 
 sinfulness, and our manifold abuses of thy grace and 
 goodness, are calculated to provoke thy displeasure, and 
 to grieve the Holy Spirit. But, Oh ! have mercy on us, 
 and deal not with us according to our ill deserts, but ac- 
 cording to thy loving kindness and tender compassion. 
 Give us not over to the love and dominion of sin. Spare 
 us, O Lord, and give us true repentance, and turn us 
 wholly unto thyself. Mercifully pardon our many and 
 aggravated sins, and heal all our spiritual maladies. Lift 
 upon us the light of thy reconciled countenance, and shed 
 abroad thy love in our hearts. Grant us a comfortable 
 assurance of our acceptance with thee, that we may re- 
 joice in thy favour, and glory in the God of our salva- 
 tion. As guilty sinners, we look to the Cross, and behold 
 by faith the Lamb of God for sinners slain. Our hope is 
 in the blood of Christ which cleanseth from all sin. As 
 helpless we look to thee for strength, and rejoice that 
 Christ is our strength and our portion for ever. As naked, 
 we come to thee to be clothed in the spotless robe of our 
 Redeemer's justifying righteousness. 
 
 While we are in the flesh, O Lord, give to us all things 
 needful and convenient for us, during our earthly pilgrim- 
 age. Make us humble in all our enjoyments, and sub- 
 missive and patient under all our trials, and sanctify to us 
 all the events of thy wise and adorable providence, till 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 187 
 
 through the merits of thy Son, and the multitude of thy 
 mercies, we are received into that rest which remaineth 
 for thy people. 
 
 Bless, O Lord, this highly favoured nation ; a nation 
 like Israel of old, remarkable for its mercies and sins. 
 May its mercies lead us to repent of its sins. Avert from 
 it every impending calamity. Bless all in authority over 
 us. May they be wise and upright, impartial and firm, 
 humble and prayerful. Be very gracious to thy church 
 universal. May all, of every name and denomination, 
 experience a time of refreshing from thy presence. Re- 
 vive thy work, O Lord, in the hearts of all thy people. 
 
 Regard in mercy our dear absent friends. Make them 
 all thy friends. Guide them by thy counsel, and after- 
 wards receive them to glory. 
 
 Bring all nations to the knowledge and love of the 
 truth as it is in Jesus. Hasten the coming of thy king- 
 dom, and declare the glory of thy grace even unto the 
 ends of the earth. All we ask and offer, is through Jesus 
 Christ the Mediator, and to the triune God be glory for 
 ever and ever. Amen. 
 
 TUESDAY EVENING. Jenks. 
 
 O Lord our God ! thou art infinitely great, and infinite- 
 ly good. Thy glory is above all our conceptions, and 
 thy mercies are over all thy works. And above all thy 
 mercies, have we cause to admire, and bless, and praise 
 thee for those favours which, in so large a measure, and 
 in so especial a manner, thou hast been pleased still to 
 vouchsafe unto us, who are the daily objects of thy boun- 
 ty, and do continue still the living monuments of thy good- 
 ness. Where thy glorious perfections check and forbid 
 our approaches, thy gracious attributes invite and en- 
 courage our applications unto thee, and embolden us to 
 
188 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 look up to thee, as our most merciful and kind Father in 
 Jesus Christ. And although we have great and many 
 sins to confess to thee, yet we will confess them in the 
 hope of thy pardon, and of power from on high, to ena- 
 ble us to avoid them in all future time. 
 
 Thou didst create us, O Lord, after thine own blessed 
 image, in an holy and happy estate ; but we have made 
 ourselves vile and miserable, averse to good, prone to evil, 
 and so full of provocation, that it is thy wonderful pa- 
 tience with us, and loving kindness to us, that thou hast 
 not, ere this, cut us off in our sins, and shut us up under 
 final despair. But thou hast so far declared thy willing- 
 ness to be reconciled even to thy enemies, that thou hast 
 sent thy only Son into the world, upon the great errand 
 of our salvation ; that whosoever believeth in him should 
 not perish, but have everlasting life. O Lord ! we belie ve, 
 help thou our unbelief, and give us true repentance towards 
 God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, that we may be 
 of the number of those who do indeed repent and believe 
 to the saving of their souls. 
 
 Save us, O Lord, from ourselves, and from the love 
 and course of this present evil world. Make for us a 
 way of escape out of all the snares of temptation, where- 
 with we have been entangled, and hindered in runing 
 the race set before us. Make thy way plain before us, 
 that we may constantly w r alk therein. And may our ex- 
 perience of its peace and goodness be more effectual to 
 keep and encourage us in the same, than the allurements 
 and discouragements of the world, to lead us astray 
 from it. O Lord, establish, strengthen, and settle us in 
 the truth, so that going forth in thy strength, we may do 
 thy will to all well pleasing ; and continue in thy fear and 
 love all the days of our lives. 
 
 These mercies we beg not only for ourselves, but for 
 all whom we should remember in our prayers. O ' bring 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 189 
 
 nigh to thee by the blood of Christ, all those that are yet 
 afar off, and make manifest the glory of thy grace in all 
 lands, that such as yet sit in darkness and in the shadow 
 of death, may see the light of thy truth, and experience 
 the joy of thy salvation. 
 
 O that all who name the name of Christ may depart 
 from iniquity, and so live according to their high and holy 
 profession, that they may give no just occasion to the 
 enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, but may adorn the 
 doctrine of God our Saviour, in all things, and by godly 
 living and well doing, put to silence the ignorance of fool- 
 ish men. 
 
 Be gracious and favourable, O Lord, in an especial 
 manner, to thy church. Arise, O God, and plead thy own 
 cause, which thou hast so long and so wonderfully owned 
 and defended. Let not her enemies prevail against her, 
 but may all who espouse thy cause, and stand up for the 
 honour and defence of thy truth, be prevalent and pros- 
 perous in all their endeavours. 
 
 Bless with the choicest of thy blessings, the President 
 of these United States. O Lord, protect his person, di- 
 rect his counsels, and may his administration be comfort- 
 able to himself and us. Prosper all his undertakings and 
 endeavours for the public safety, and for the peace and 
 welfare of these States. Give all magistrates wisdom, 
 grace, and courage, to discharge aright their respective 
 duties. Make the ministers of thy word an example to 
 the flock, in all sobriety, righteousness, and holiness of 
 living ; and establish us all an holy people to thyself; grant- 
 ing us one heart and one way, that we may all agree in 
 the same faith, and adorn it with a suitable and consist- 
 ent life. Forgive our enemies, if we have them, and turn 
 their hearts, and turn ours to forgive them. And direct 
 all our ways to please thee, that thou mayest make even 
 our enemies to be at peace with us. 
 
190 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 Hear us, O God of the spirits of all flesh ! hear us for 
 ourselves and others ; and hear others for themselves and 
 us ; and hear the Son of thy love, in behalf of thy whole 
 church, for it is through his blessed mediation that we 
 offer these our prayers and thanksgivings, to whom with 
 the Father and Holy Spirit be glory for ever. Amen. 
 
 WEDNESDAY MORNING. Jenks. 
 
 O Lord God, merciful and gracious, long suffering, and 
 abundant in goodness and truth ! Thou keepest mercy for 
 thousands, pardonest iniquity, transgression and sin, and 
 dost not retain thy anger for ever, because thou delightest 
 in mercy. How excellent is thy loving kindness, O God ! 
 therefore do the sons of men put their trust under the 
 shadow of thy wings. And therefore do we desire still 
 to look up to thy bountiful hand, whence we have re- 
 ceived all our good things. O Lord our God ! be thou 
 pleased to look down mercifully upon us, and be gracious 
 and favourable to us, as thou art wont to be unto those 
 that love thy name. O look not upon tfte sin of our na- 
 ture, nor the sins of our hearts and lives; which are 
 more than we can remember, and greater than we can 
 express ; and such as make us vile, even in our own 
 eyes ; and so highly guilty before thy holy Majesty, that 
 it is of the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because 
 thy compassions fail not. But behold us in mercy, 
 through the merits and mediation of thy Son our Saviour, 
 who did no sin, and was manifested that he might take 
 away our sins : by whom it is that we have this access 
 to the Majesty on high, and encouragement to come into 
 thy presence, to ask what we need. 
 
 And seeing there is in Christ Jesus an infinite fulness 
 of all that ever we can want or wish to make us holy, 
 and to make us most blessed eternally : that we may 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 191 
 
 all receive of his fulness grace sufficient for us ; to par- 
 don our sins and subdue our iniquities ; to justify our 
 persons, and to sanctify our souls ; and to complete upon 
 our hearts and lives that holy renovating change, which 
 may still more and more transform us into the blessed 
 image after which thou didst create us; and make us 
 still more meet to be partakers of the inheritance of thy 
 saints in light. 
 
 And teach us, O Lord our God, to use this world with- 
 out abusing it, and to enjoy the things of it, without 
 losing our part in thy love, which is better than life. 
 Whatever we have of the world, may we have the 
 same with thy permission and love, sanctified to us by 
 the word of God, and prayer ; and by the right employ- 
 ment and improvement thereof to thy glory, who art 
 the gracious Giver of all our good things. And whatso- 
 ever we want of the things of this life, O Lord our 
 heavenly Father, leave us not destitute of any of those 
 things that accompany salvation, but adorn our souls 
 with all such graces of thy holy Spirit, as may enable us 
 to adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things, 
 by such a conversation as does become it. 
 
 Help us, O gracious Lord, in the whole of our duty 
 to thee our God ; and also in the discharge of all relative 
 duties which we owe to men, whether superiors, equals, 
 or inferiors, all with whom we have our conversation in 
 the world ; that we may walk wisely toward them that 
 are without, and kindly toward them that are within; 
 and not be justly offensive unto any ; but, what in us lies, 
 useful and beneficial to all. And thus let us pass the 
 time of our sojourning here, in thy fear and favour, and 
 to thy honour and glory ; that at last, thy name may 
 have the praise, and our souls the comfort, in the hour of 
 death, and in the great day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 
 
 And now that thou hast renewed our lives and thy 
 
192 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 mercies to us this morning, help us, O God, to renew our 
 desires, and resolutions, and endeavours, to live in the 
 obedience of thy holy will, and to the honour of thy 
 blessed name. O restrain us from the evils and follies 
 into which we are prone to fall ; and quicken us to the 
 offices and duties which we are averse to perform. And 
 grant that we may think and speak, and will and do, the 
 things becoming the children of our heavenly Father; 
 and so find the strong consolation of thy gracious ac- 
 ceptance in Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen. 
 
 WEDNESDAY EVENING. Bennett. 
 
 Blessed and glorious God ! Thou art the King eternal, 
 immortal, invisible, the only wise God, of whom, through 
 whom, and to whom are all things ; the Father of mer- 
 cies, and God of all grace. Thou searchest the hearts 
 and triest the reins of all men. Thou art acquainted 
 with all our ways. As we now come to seek thy grace, 
 and beg thy presence, acceptance, and blessing, look 
 down upon us in tender mercy. O let thy spirit help our 
 infirmities, and teach us how to pray. Hearken unto the 
 voice of our cry, our King and our God, for unto thee 
 will we pray ; our voice shalt thou hear in the morning, 
 and in the evening will we direct our prayer unto thee. 
 We are not worthy, O Lord, of the least of thy mercies, 
 and yet how bountifully hast thou bestowed them upon 
 us ! open thou our lips, and our mouths shall show forth 
 thy praise. 
 
 But, O God, we have requited thee evil for good ; what 
 unsuitable returns have we made for that gooodness and 
 mercy which has followed us all our days! we are 
 ashamed, and blush to lift up our faces before thee, O 
 Lord, for our iniquities are increased over our heads, and 
 our trespasses have grown up to the heavens. Lord, we 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 193 
 
 would lie in the dust, and cry, unclean, unclean ! we have 
 a sinning and a sinful nature ; we were shapen in iniquity, 
 and in sin were we conceived. And, O God, how deeply 
 aggravated are all our sins ! they have been committed 
 against light and conviction, against promises and vows, 
 and against manifold experiences of thy grace and love. 
 O, cast an eye of pity upon us; we are vile; what shall 
 we answer thee 1 Lord, we would abhor ourselves and 
 repent in dust and ashes. 
 
 And as our sins are many, so, O Lord, are our neces- 
 sities many and great ; we come to thee for the supply 
 of them all ; we come for a blessing, a suitable and 
 effectual blessing. Bless us, O our God, with the pardon 
 of all our iniquities. Let our transgressions be forgiven, 
 and our sins covered. Impute not iniquity unto us. O 
 purge us with hyssop and we shall be clean ; wash us and 
 we shall be whiter than snow. We have no merit to plead, 
 but we cast ourselves upon thy mercy and grace in the 
 Redeemer ; we plead and trust to his atoning blood which 
 was shed for the remission of sins ; w T e have sinned, but 
 Christ has died, the just for the unjust, that he might 
 bring us to God. O justify us freely by thy grace, through 
 the redemption that is in Christ. Look upon us in the 
 face of thine Anointed, and accept us in the Beloved. 
 O Lord, heal and sanctify our sinful nature. Help us to 
 put off the old man which is corrupt, and to put on the 
 new man, which, after God, is created in righteousness 
 and true holiness. Create clean hearts, and renew right 
 spirits within us; help us to crucify the flesh with its 
 affections and lusts, that the body of sin may be destroy- 
 ed. Enlighten our minds, and grant us the spirit of wis- 
 dom and revelation in the knowledge of Christ. Subdue 
 and renew our wills, that their enmitv to thee mav be 
 overcome. Cast down all lofty imaginations, and bring 
 every thought into subjection to the obedience of Christ. 
 
 17 
 
194 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 Help us to love our enemies, if we have them, and if 
 we have aught against any man, help us to forgive, as 
 God, for Christ's sake, forgiveth us. Enable us to bless 
 them that curse us, and pray for them that despitefully 
 use us. Help us all, O Lord, duly to consider our latter 
 end, and diligently prepare for the same ; so teach us to 
 number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto 
 wisdom ; and whatsoever our hands find to do, may we 
 do it now, without delay, and with all our might ; for 
 there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge in the grave, 
 whither we are all hastening. O Lord, bless all for 
 whom we should pray. Regard in mercy our absent 
 friends and relatives ; pity and relieve the poor and dis- 
 tressed ; comfort those who mourn ; bless our land and 
 all its rulers. Pour out thy Spirit upon all flesh, and 
 hasten the coming of thy glorious kingdom. Accept our 
 thanks for the mercies of this day. Take us under thy 
 protection this night ; sustain us in sleep, and raise us up 
 in the morning, and when we awake, may we be still 
 with thee. AH which we beg in the name, and through 
 the mediation of Christ our Saviour. Amen. 
 
 THURSDAY MORNING. Jenks. 
 
 O Lord our God ! thy name is most excellent in all the 
 earth : thou hast set up thy glory above the heavens, and 
 thou art worthy to be celebrated with everlasting praises 
 of men and angels ; for thou hast created all things, and 
 for thy pleasure it is that they are and were created. 
 Thy hands, O Lord, have made us and fashioned us,- and 
 thou hast breathed into our nostrils the breath of life; 
 yea, still thou holdest our souls in life, and givest us every 
 good thing that makes our lives a blessing and a comfort 
 to us. Thou hast formed us for thyself, that we should 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 195 
 
 show forth thy praise, and live to thy glory, as we do 
 continually live upon thy bounty. 
 
 But, O Lord our God ! we have not brought thee the 
 glory which thou hast made us capable of, and in so 
 many ways obliged us to ; instead of this, O how greatly 
 have we dishonoured thee, our God, in the whole course 
 and conduct of our lives ! time after time, forgetting the 
 gracious Giver of all our good things, who art never un- 
 mindful of us. And O how soon have we been weary to 
 do thee service, who art never weary to do us good ! 
 Yea, we have not only neglected thy work, but have 
 been disobedient against thy word, and have taken bold 
 liberties, to go on after our own foolish and hurtful lusts, 
 in such ways of living as thy laws and our own hearts 
 disallow and condemn. 
 
 And for these things we desire to pour out our hearts, 
 and to humble our sinful selves here before thee ; entreat- 
 ing thy gracious favour, for the sake of thy mercy in 
 Christ Jesus, who has moved thee to spare us so long, 
 and to do so much for us already, that thou wilt be 
 pleased to give us repentance and pardon for all that is 
 past, wherein we have offended thee ; whether in omit- 
 ting our duty, or failing in it, or doing contrary to it. 
 However we have transgressed, O humble us duly under 
 the sense of it ; and, for thy dear Son's sake, absolve us 
 thoroughly from the guilt of it 
 
 And strengthen us, good Lord, with might, by the spirit 
 in the inner man, to make us more watchful against, and 
 more victorious over, the corruption of our nature, the 
 temptations of the devil, and the distractions and allure- 
 ments of this sinful world, wherein we live. O destroy 
 in us every vicious inclination, every evil habit, and rebel- 
 lious notion, that exalts itself against the knowledge of 
 God, and against the obedience of our Lord Jesus Christ. 
 And increase and confirm in us, still more and more, thy 
 
196 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 true knowledge and faith, and fear, and love ; and every 
 grace of thy holy Spirit, which thou knowest to be most 
 wanting in us, and necessary for us ; such as may make 
 our lives still more comfortable to ourselves, more profit- 
 able to others, and more to the glory of thy name. And 
 however it goes with us, as to the concerns of this pre- 
 sent time, O that we may still be found in the way of our 
 duty, fearing God, and working righteousness ; that we 
 may secure our interest in the great Saviour of the world, 
 so that when all here shall fail us, thou mayest take us 
 up, and be the strength of our hearts, and our portion for 
 evermore. 
 
 Day by day we magnify thee, O Lord, who makest 
 every day of our lives still a further addition to thy mer- 
 cies. We bless thee for our last night's preservation and 
 protection, and for the rest and refreshment which thou 
 hast given us therein. O cause us to hear thy loving 
 kindness in the morning, for in thee do we trust; cause 
 us to know the way wherein we shall go, for we lift up 
 our souls to thee. Cast us not away from thy presence ; 
 take not thy holy Spirit from us ; but direct all our w T ays 
 to please thee our God, that thou mayest crown us with 
 blessing and good success. Help us to see thy power, to 
 own thy presence, to admire thy wisdom, and to love thy 
 goodness in all thy creatures. And by all the comforts 
 of creatures, O draw our hearts still nearer to thyself, 
 the blessed Creator of every comfort; and let our medi- 
 tations of God be sweet as well as frequent, that delight- 
 ing ourselves in the Lord, thou mayest give unto us the 
 desires of our hearts. Such mercy and grace we beg for 
 ourselves, and all ours, and thine, every where, in our 
 great Mediator's form of prayer, " Our Father," &c. 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 197 
 
 THURSDAY EVENING. Ed. 
 
 Almighty and most merciful Lord God ! Thou art 
 glorious in all thy perfections, and art adored by all the 
 host of heaven. It is both our duty and our privilege to 
 unite with them in praising thee for what thou art, and 
 for what thou hast done for our ruined race. All thy 
 handy works proclaim thy glory. The heavens and 
 the earth declare thy praise. But on the cross we read 
 thy character, and behold an exhibition of thy power, 
 thy mercy, thy justice, and thy truth ; for thou didst so 
 love the world as to give thy only begotten Son to die, 
 that whosoever belie veth in him should not perish, 
 but have everlasting life ; relying on the efficacy of his 
 death, and trusting to the mediation of thy Son, we would 
 once more approach the throne of thy grace as humble 
 suppliants for thy mercy. We confess with shame that 
 we have rebelled against thee, and violated thy most holy 
 law. We have been unmindful of thy counsel, and in- 
 different to thy warnings and reproofs. We have been 
 too little affected by thy goodness, and too little awed by 
 thy threatenings and judgments. We would mourn be- 
 fore thee on account of the hardness of our hearts, the 
 perverseness of our wills, and the deadness of our affec- 
 tions. But we are encouraged by thy promises to hope 
 in thy mercy, and emboldened by thy gracious invitations 
 to apply to thee for pardon and acceptance. We have 
 no merit of our own to offer, for all our righteousnesses 
 are as filthy rags. Our obedience is awfully imperfect, 
 and defiled by the admixture of sin and insincerity. Our 
 hope is in the atoning blood of our divine Redeemer. 
 We would take refuge in his wounded side, and under 
 the shadow of his wings. Give us true repentance for 
 all our iniquities of heart and life, and mercifully blot 
 
 17* 
 
198 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 them from the book of thy remembrance ; for there is 
 forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared. 
 
 Bestow upon each of us the grace of th Holy Spirit, 
 that we may be renewed day by day in the spirit of our 
 minds, and be enabled to withstand the temptations of the 
 adversary, and to walk in newness of life to the praise 
 of thy holy name. 
 
 We render thee our united and hearty thanks for the 
 mercies of the day past, for the protection of our bodies 
 and souls, and for the suitable and abundant provision 
 for all our wants. Be graciously pleased to take us in 
 thy holy keeping, during the silence and darkness of this 
 night. May our slumbers be refreshing and undisturbed ; 
 and with humble, penitent, and grateful hearts, may we 
 awake in the morning, to the light, and duties, and privi- 
 leges of another day. Give us grace to spend all our 
 days in thy fear and service, and to thine honour and 
 glory. May it be Christ for us to live, and gain for us 
 to die ; so that living or dying, we may be the Lord's. 
 May all the dwellers under this roof be finally dwellers 
 with thee in heaven. May all, from the eldest to the 
 youngest, be among the number of thy redeemed ones. 
 
 Graciously smile upon all who are near and dear to 
 us, by whatever tie. May they be united to Christ by a 
 living faith, and follow him as his true disciples. 
 
 Have mercy upon all sorts and conditions of men, 
 comforting and relieving them according to their several 
 necessities. Prepare the living for death, and the dying 
 for glory. Bless with all needed grace, our rulers and 
 lawgivers, that they may serve thee acceptably, by serv- 
 ing their country uprightly and efficiently. Diffuse the 
 light of the gospel among all nations, and pour out thy 
 Spirit copiously upon all thy churches, for the sake of thy 
 Son, our Saviour, who hath taught us to pray, "Our 
 Father who art in heaven/' &c. 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 199 
 
 FRIDAY MORNING. Jenks. 
 
 We do here present ourselves this morning before thy 
 heavenly and glorious Majesty, O most blessed Lord our 
 God, with the desire of our souls, to pay unto Thee that 
 tribute of homage and service, and prayer and praise, 
 which thou hast made us capable of, and every way 
 obliged us to. We desire to perform the same in such a 
 manner, that thou mayest mercifully accept us and oui 
 services, at the hands of Christ Jesus. In his great name 
 we come to thee, at thy command, and worship here at 
 thy footstool, to beg thy pardon and peace, the increase 
 of thy grace, and the tokens of thy love. For we are not 
 worthy that thou shouldst, in any way of mercy, take 
 notice of us, or be entreated by us : but worthy is the 
 Lamb of God, slain to take away the sins of the w r orld, 
 for whose sake do thou, O Lord, mercifully look upon us ; 
 for he has fulfilled those holy laws, which we have 
 broken, and perfectly satisfied the justice of heaven, for 
 all our violations of them. And in him thou art a God 
 gracious and merciful, to poor sinners, who deserve no- 
 thing from thee, but to be forsaken and abhorred by thee. 
 Unto us belong shame and confusion of face for our sins, 
 and fearful expectation of all the judgments and miseries 
 which thy holy laws denounce against sinners : if thou, 
 Lord, shouldst be extreme to mark what we have done 
 amiss ; if thou shouldst deal with us and proceed against 
 us as in justice thou mightest. 
 
 But, O gracious Father, regard not what we have 
 done against thee, but what our blessed Saviour has done 
 for us ; not what we have made ourselves, but what he 
 -s made of thee, our God unto us. And O that Christ 
 may be to every one of our souls, what he is to all thy 
 faithful people, wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctifi- 
 cation, and redemption; that his precious blood may 
 
200 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 cleanse us from all our sins ; and that the grace of thy 
 holy Spirit may further renew and sanctify our souls, 
 and subdue our iniquities, and mortify our lusts; and 
 quicken us to, and enable us for the performance of all 
 the duties of thy holy service. O let not sin reign in our 
 mortal bodies, that we should obey it in the lust thereof. 
 Let there be no sin in us but what is felt and hated, be- 
 wailed and resisted by us ; and let us approve our very 
 hearts to thee, the Searcher of them ; and may all our 
 ways be still pleasing in thy sight. 
 
 O teach us to know thee, our God, and enable us to do 
 thy will as we ought to do. Give us hearts to fear thee, 
 and love thee ; to trust and delight in thee, and to adhere 
 and cleave in faithfulness unto thee. That no temptations 
 may draw us, nor any tribulations drive us from thee ; 
 but that all thy dispensations to us, and all thy dealings 
 with us, may be the messengers of thy love to our souls, 
 to bring us still nearer to thy blessed self, and to make us 
 still more fitted for thy heavenly kingdom. Quicken us, 
 O Lord, in our dulness ; that we may not serve thee in a 
 lifeless and listless manner ; but, may abound in thy work, 
 and be fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. And make us 
 also faithful in all the offices of intercourse with our 
 neighbours ; that we may be ready to do good, and bear 
 evil, and forbear revenge ; and be just and kind, merciful 
 and meek, peaceable and patient, sober and temperate, 
 humble and self-denying, inoffensive and useful in the 
 world. That so glorifying thee here upon earth, we may 
 at our departure hence, enter into the joy of our Lord, 
 and be forever glorified in thy heavenly kingdom. 
 
 O thou that hast kept us alive to this day, and hast 
 been still good and kind to us all our days, renew thy 
 mercy to us, we beseech thee, together with this morning 
 light ; and as thou makest the outgoings of the morning 
 and evening to rejoice, so lift up the light of thy counte- 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 201 
 
 nance upon us, and make us glad with the tokens of thy 
 love ; and thou that art ever present with us, O make us 
 ever well aware of thy presence, that we may duly re- 
 member thee in all our ways, and wisely and piously de- 
 mean ourselves in all our affairs. Be with us, O Lord, at 
 our going out, and our coming in ; and let thy grace fol- 
 low us this day, and all the days of our life. Be thou our 
 guide unto death, in death our comfort, and after death 
 our portion and happiness everlasting. O hear us from 
 heaven, thy dwelling-place ; and, when thou hearest, have 
 mercy: forgive the sins of our persons, and the sins of 
 our prayers ; and do more for us than we are worthy 
 to expect at thy hands, for his sake, who alone is worthy, 
 with the Father and the Holy Spirit, to receive everlast- 
 ing praises. Amen. 
 
 FRIDAY EVENING. Jenks. 
 
 O Lord, we desire to seek thy face, and to wait upon 
 thee in the duties of thy worship ; entreating thy gracious 
 favour with our whole hearts, that we may do all as we 
 ought, with good acceptance to our God. And to whom 
 should we make our applications, but unto thee, the 
 Father of mercies and the fountain of all goodness, who 
 art able to do exceeding abundantly for us, even above 
 all that we can ask or think ; and who hast declared thy 
 willingness to be importuned and solicited by us ; and thy 
 readiness to hear, and help, and answer us, in those 
 things which we beg at thy gracious and bountiful hands, 
 in the name and mediation of our great Lord and Sa- 
 viour : O let our prayer ascend before thee as incense, 
 and the lifting up of our hands be as the evening sacri- 
 fice, pleasing to thee our God, in the Son of thy love. It 
 is in his blessed name alone, that we have the encourage- 
 ment and boldness to beg of thy infinite goodness all that 
 
202 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 thou knowest to be needful and expedient for us; seeing 
 there is in ourselves no good thing to recommend us to 
 thy favour and acceptance ; but a prone ness and inclina- 
 tion to what is displeasing in thy eyes, and destructive to 
 our souls. For we are by nature the children of wrath, 
 a seed of evil-doers, the sinful offspring of rebellious 
 parents; we have been daily trespassing against thee, 
 and still adding to the great number of our offences, 
 against thee. There is nothing in us, O Lord, but what 
 may provoke thee to reject us : but there is enough in thy 
 beloved Son, of all grace and goodness, to move thee 
 mercifully to accept us. He was made sin for us, who 
 knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of 
 God in him ; and that we might be saved through faith 
 in his merits, where we could not be saved by any desert 
 of our own works. O behold our sins punished in our 
 Saviour, who was wounded for our transgressions, and 
 bruised for our iniquities : and as the chastisement of our 
 peace was upon him, so let the merits of his righteous- 
 ness be upon us; and by his stripes let our souls be 
 healed. 
 
 Nor do we only beg for pardon of our sins, but also 
 for power against them, and grace sufficient for us to 
 break them off, and to walk more pleasingly before thee, 
 in all the ways and duties of righteousness and holiness, 
 which thy word prescribes to us. O never suffer us to be 
 tempted above what we are able ; but make our tempta- 
 tions less, or thy grace in us, and our spiritual strength, 
 still greater than all our temptations ; that no iniquities 
 may prevail against us, nor any presumptuous sin have 
 dominion over us. O make us more conformable to the 
 pattern and the precepts of our Saviour, and more trans- 
 formed into his holy image and likeness ; that we may not 
 profess the religion of Jesus Christ to the wrong and dis- 
 paragement of it : nor make the way of truth, by reason 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 203 
 
 of us, to be evil spoken of; but let our light shine before 
 men, to the glory of thee our heavenly Father, and to 
 the edification of those with whom we have our con- 
 versation. 
 
 And together with our own, we commend to thy mercy, 
 O God of the spirits of all flesh, the necessities and distress- 
 es of all our brethren throughout the world. O enlighten the 
 ignorant, quicken the careless, awaken the secure, con- 
 vince the erroneous, reclaim the vicious, establish the un- 
 settled, and comfort the dejected. Bring all to the know- 
 ledge and love of thy truth, and to the participation of 
 thy grace, and the obedience of Christ ; and finally to the 
 blessed hope of thy heavenly glory, and to the eternal 
 salvation of our souls. We pray, as more particularly 
 bound, for all our magistrates and ministers of the gos- 
 pel ; and all our friends and relations; and all thy ser- 
 vants, and all the afflicted everywhere ; especially those 
 for whose happiness and salvation thou knowest us to 
 be chiefly concerned. O do thou for us, and for them, 
 as thou knowest best, and most needful and expedient, 
 for thy own mercy's sake in Jesus Christ. 
 
 As we pray to thee for what we need, so we desire to 
 praise thee for all that we have received at thy hands. 
 And blessed be thy name, O Lord, that we have any 
 thing, yea that we have so many things, to bless and 
 praise thee for. O what shall we render to the Lord for 
 all his benefits ? What can we give to thee, our God, but 
 the glory of thy own gifts and goodness unto us ? O 
 Lord ! let not our hearts be shut and straitened towards 
 thee, whose hand is every day so open unto us ; but do 
 thou possess and enlarge these hearts of ours with more 
 and greater love and thankfulness to thee, who hast so 
 abounded in mercy and loving kindness towards us, that 
 we may give thee thanks with all our hearts, and glorify 
 thy name for evermore. 
 
204 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 And now that the night is upon us, and we are ready- 
 to betake ourselves to our rest, we commit ourselves to 
 thy gracious protection, who never sleepest nor slumberest, 
 but hast still a watchful eye open upon thy people. O 
 watch over us, our God, we pray thee, for good ; that 
 none of the evils or harms which our sins have deserved 
 may befall us. Preserve us from the works, and from the 
 powers of darkness, and from all the terrors and dangers 
 of the night. Let all our sins, to-day, or any time here- 
 tofore committed, be removed out of thy sight, and show 
 us the light of thy countenance, O Lord, to refresh us 
 with the sense of thy blessed love and favour, in our dear 
 Redeemer; for whom, and to whom, with thy eternal 
 self, and Holy Spirit, be all thanks and praise, and 
 honour, and glory, ascribed by us and all thy church, 
 from this time forth, world without end. Amen. 
 
 SATURDAY MORNING. Jenks. 
 
 O Lord, thou art the God whose w r e are, and whom we 
 ought to serve, with all the endowments and abilities for 
 thy service, wherewith thou hast blessed us. For thou 
 hast laid upon us all the obligations of thy laws ; and all 
 the endearments of thy love, to be faithful in the cove- 
 nant of our God; and to abound in the work of the Lord. 
 And we desire to humble our sinful selves here before 
 thee, that our lives have been so unprofitable to thee, and 
 so full of provocation against thee ; that the dishonour 
 which we have done thee, O Lord, has by many degrees 
 exceeded all our service; that we have lived to ourselves, 
 more than to the Lord and Giver of our lives ; and we have 
 served our own lusts and pleasures more than thy holy 
 blessed will; which is the rule of all righteousness, and 
 in the performance whereof, there is the greatest reward. 
 O how we have disbelieved thy truths, disobeyed thy 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 205 
 
 commands, disregarded thy promises and threats ! and 
 resisted and defeated all thy gracious methods to reclaim 
 us from the evil of our ways, and to bring us over entire- 
 ly to thyself. 
 
 We have sinned against thee, our God, to the infinite 
 wrong and damage of our own souls, and by our sins 
 we have spoiled and destroyed ourselves ; but it is not in 
 us to recover and save ourselves. No : in thee alone is 
 all our help. Yea, thou hast laid help upon one that is 
 mighty and able to save to the uttermost all that come to 
 God through him : through whom thou hast encouraged 
 us to come boldly to thy throne of grace, that we may 
 obtain mercy, and find grace to help in every time of 
 need. In him, therefore, we beg, Lord, that thou wilt be 
 reconciled to us, and at peace with us ; as a Father of 
 mercies, and a God of consolation. 
 
 And for his sake, enable us also, we beseech thee, to 
 demean ourselves as becomes the children of God, the 
 redeemed of the Lord, and the members and followers 
 of Jesus Christ. O put such principles of grace and ho- 
 liness into our hearts, as may cause us to hate all iniquity, 
 and every false way. And put thy spirit within us, caus- 
 ing us to walk in thy statutes, and to keep thy judgments, 
 and to do them. Not only lay thy commands upon us, 
 but be pleased, O Lord, to enable us to perform every 
 duty required of us. And so engage our hearts to thy- 
 self, that we may make it our meat and drink to do thy 
 will ; and with enlarged hearts, run the way of thy com- 
 mands. O make our services acceptable to thee while 
 we live, and our souls ready for thee when we die. And 
 as long as we are in this world, keep us, O Lord our 
 God, from the evil of it, and from the snares and dangers 
 which thou knowest we are continually exposed to in it. 
 O make our journey safe and sure, through all the 
 changes, troubles, temptations, and various conditions of 
 
 18 
 
206 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 this mortal life, to the unchangeable glories and felicities 
 of life everlasting. 
 
 Be merciful to us, O Lord, and bless us, and keep us 
 this day, in all our ways, and in all our lawful designs 
 and undertakings : and may we take nothing in hand, but 
 what is warranted in thy word. O let us be in the fear 
 of the Lord all the day long ; let thy fear be ever before 
 our eyes to restrain us from the things provoking to our 
 God, and destructive to our souls. And let thy love 
 abound in our hearts, and sweetly and powerfully con- 
 strain us to all faithful and cheerful obedience, acceptable 
 in thy sight, through him that has loved and redeemed 
 us ; even the Lord our righteousness ; in whose blessed 
 name, and the words of prayer which himself has taught 
 us, we continue praying, Our Father, &c. 
 
 The blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son and Holy 
 Ghost, be with us, and with all that belong to us, this 
 day, and for evermore. Amen. 
 
 SATURDAY EVENING. Jenks. 
 
 O Lord, the infinite, incomprehensible God, who art 
 before all, art above all, and wilt be for ever the same, 
 when time shall be no more ! Thou hast heaven for thy 
 throne, and the earth for thy footstool ; and all the things 
 in both, continually in thy sight, and at thy disposal. 
 That art the Searcher of our hearts, and the Overseer 
 of our whole lives, here and everywhere present; and 
 now and evermore thou seest us, and compasseth our 
 path, and our lying down, and art thoroughly acquainted 
 with all our ways. Thou knowest, O Lord, the dulness 
 and hardness, the vanity and deceitfulness of our hearts. 
 So that the least of all those mercies which we enjoy, is 
 far above any thing that we have reason to expect, at 
 the hands of that God whom we have so greatly pro- 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 207 
 
 voked. And justly mightest thou, O Lord, withdraw thy 
 tender mercies from us, and pour out thy wrath and in- 
 dignation to the uttermost upon us ; making us to find 
 and feel by woful experience, what an evil and bitter 
 thing it is to trespass against thee, as we have done. 
 Thou mightest make us experience the same, in the place 
 of torment, and outward darkness, where is weeping and 
 wailing and gnashing of teeth, and from whence there is 
 no redemption. 
 
 But thou art a God of wonderful patience to bear with 
 sinners ; and a God of infinite goodness and mercy, to 
 forgive the sins of all them that are penitent. Thou hast 
 said, that if the wicked forsake his way, and the unright- 
 eous man his thoughts, and return to the Lord, thou wilt 
 have mercy upon him, and abundantly pardon. But, O 
 Lord, thou knowest that without thee we cannot so much 
 as come unto thee, unless thou meet us with thy hea- 
 venly grace and help us with thy almighty assistance. 
 We humbly beg, therefore, that thou wilt be graciously 
 pleased to stretch forth thy powerful and merciful hand, 
 to loose the captive chain wherein our sins have entan- 
 gled our souls. And let it be thy gracious pleasure, O 
 blessed Lord, to set us free from every weight of sin and 
 yoke of bondage, that lies heavy upon our souls, and un- 
 fits us to serve thee with that sincerity, and readiness, and 
 gladness, which thou requirest of thy people. 
 
 And wilt thou grant us, O Lord, the increase of thy 
 grace, and such aids of thy holy Spirit, as may enable 
 us to subdue our sins, and fit us for all the duties of 
 thy service which either we have neglected, or but 
 imperfectly performed. That we may serve thee, our 
 God, sincerely without hypocrisy; cheerfully with- 
 out dulness; and constantly, without falling away, or 
 being weary of * well-doing. Thou art not weary to 
 
208 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 do us good ; O let us never be weary to do thee ser- 
 vice : but as thou hast pleasure in the prosperity of thy 
 servants, so let us take pleasure in the service of our 
 Lord, and abound in thy work, and in thy love and praise 
 evermore. O fill up all that is wanting, and reform what- 
 ever is amiss in us, and perfect that which concerns us ; 
 making us such in our hearts, and in our lives, towards 
 thee, our God, that we may obtain thy blessed peace 
 here, and thy heavenly glory hereafter. And be thou 
 pleased to grant us now, out of the riches of thy grace, 
 the comfortable sense of thy gracious acceptance of us, 
 and thy merciful intentions towards us. O speak peace 
 to our consciences, and say to our souls, Thou art our 
 salvation ; that we may look upon thee, our God, as a 
 reconciled Father to us in Jesus Christ. 
 
 In his great name, and prevailing mediation, we en- 
 large our petitions, in behalf of the whole race of man- 
 kind, that are now with us alive upon earth. O that all 
 the ends of the world may remember themselves, and 
 turn to the Lord, and see the salvation of our God! 
 Do good, O God, in thy good pleasure, to Zion ; and build 
 thou the walls of Jerusalem, that we may see the good 
 of it all the days of our life. Continue thy mercies to 
 this sinful land, whereof we are sinful members. Teach 
 us to know the meaning of thy dispensations to us ; and 
 help us to improve by all thy dealings with us. O turn 
 all our hearts to thee, as the heart of one man ; and re- 
 form all our lives, according to the holy pattern and pre- 
 cepts of our Lord, that thou mayest cause thy anger to- 
 wards us to cease; and go on still to take care of us, and 
 never leave nor forsake us. 
 
 Bless abundantly, we humbly beseech thee, thy ser- 
 vant, the President of the United States, and all others 
 in authority; and so replenish them with the grace of thy 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 209 
 
 holy Spirit, that they may always incline to thy will, and 
 walk in thy way: endue them plenteously with heavenly 
 gifts ; and grant them in health and prosperity long to 
 live.* And grant unto all ministers of thy gospel con- 
 tinual supplies of all needful gifts and graces of thy holy 
 Spirit, for the faithful and comfortable discharge of their 
 several duties. O bring all our neighbours near to thy- 
 self; and be thou a friend to all our friends, a father to 
 the fatherless, a husband to the widow, a refuge to the 
 oppressed, a physician to the sick, a helper to the friend- 
 less, a God of consolation to the distressed and sorrow- 
 ful, whatever be their trouble and affliction. O bless to 
 us, whatever thou art pleased to allot to us, and every 
 thing that befalls us. Make all work for our good ; 
 to build us up in thy grace, and to help us on to thy 
 glory. 
 
 And as thou hast been good and kind to us the day 
 past, and throughout our whole lives ; for which we de- 
 sire, O Lord, humbly and thankfully to admire thy love, 
 and to bless thy name ; so we beg that we may expe- 
 rience the continuance of thy gracious goodness, to us, 
 and thy fatherly care over us, this present night. O pre- 
 serve and defend, and bless and keep us, that no evil 
 may befall us, nor any plague come nigh our dwelling. 
 
 * In the English copy the reading of the preceding part of this 
 paragraph is in the following words ; " Bless abundantly the King's 
 Majesty, who now sways the sceptre of these realms. O Lord pre- 
 serve his life, prolong his days, and prosper his government Give 
 him the hearts of his subjects, and the necks of his enemies. Make 
 him the rejoicing of thy people, and a terror only to evil-doers. O 
 continue him long a zealous defender of the faith, a promoter of thy 
 fear, and asserter of our rights, that under his shadow we may be in 
 peace and safety, enjoying the liberty of the gospel, and the free 
 profession and establishment of thy true and holy religion." 
 
 18* 
 
210 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 Give us sleep and rest to refresh and strengthen us for 
 thy service, and our duty ; and prepare us, O Lord, for 
 our last sleep, in death, and for our departure out of this 
 mortal life, and those great accounts that we must make 
 before the judgment-seat of Jesus Christ. O instruct us, 
 and assist us, in that great work of preparation for our 
 everlasting condition ; that we may, in this only time of 
 preparation, finish the great work which thou hast given 
 us to do, before the night of death overtake us, wherein 
 we cannot work. That, whenever thou shalt be pleased 
 to give us the summons of death, we may find nothing 
 to do but to die, and cheerfully resign our spirits into thy 
 gracious hands, who gavest them to us, through the 
 riches of thy grace, and the wortliiness of thy Son ; in 
 whose merits alone we trust, and to thy name, O blessed 
 God of our salvation, be the praise, and honour, and 
 glory, given by us and all thy people, from this time forth 
 for evermore. Amen. 
 
OCCASIONAL PRAYERS. 
 
 A MORNING PRAYER, 
 
 FOR THE FIRST MONDAY IN THE MONTH; 
 
 A day devoted, by Evangelical churches of all denomina- 
 tions, to prayer for the coming of Christ's kingdom in 
 the world. Swete. 
 
 Almighty and most merciful Lord God, whose is the 
 earth and the fulness thereof, and whose power alone can 
 change the hearts of sinful men; we humbly beseech 
 thee, that it may please thee to have mercy upon all men, 
 that thy ways may be known upon earth, thy saving 
 health among all nations. O look down in compassion 
 from the habitation of thy holiness upon a world lying in 
 ignorance and iniquity; and as it is thy revealed will 
 that thy gospel should be preached to every creature un- 
 der heaven, O send forth thy light and thy truth into its 
 most benighted corners, to enlighten the millions who sit 
 in darkness and the shadow of death, and to turn them 
 from the power of Satan unto thyself, the living God. 
 
 O thou glorious Head of the church, who hast obtained 
 the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts 
 of the earth for thy possession ; stretch forth thy holy 
 arm ; destroy the face of the covering that is over all 
 people, and the veil that is spread over all nations ; and 
 from the rising of the sun to the going down thereof, let thy 
 name be great among the Gentiles. O may they forsake 
 their idols and their refuges of lies, and may they hear 
 and receive thy holy word ; may thy Holy Spirit enlighten 
 their understandings, and prepare their hearts to welcome 
 the sound of the glorious gospel of God our Saviour, and 
 to receive it as a faithful saying and worthy of all accept- 
 
212 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 ation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sin- 
 ners. O Lord, make them willing in the day of thy power, 
 and teach them effectually that there is no other name 
 under heaven, given amongst men whereby they can be 
 saved, but the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, in whom 
 there is plenteous redemption. 
 
 And, O thou God of Israel, pour down upon thine an- 
 cient people, the Jews, the spirit of grace and of supplica- 
 tion, that they may look by faith to him whom their fathers 
 pierced, and mourn. Remove the veil that is upon their 
 hearts, and hasten the time when they shall acknowledge 
 the Lord Jesus to be their Messiah, and be gathered unto 
 his fold ; that thus both Jews and Gentiles may become 
 one flock under one shepherd, and may unite in one tri- 
 umphant song of praise to their redeeming God. 
 
 Merciful Father, be especially kind to our native coun- 
 try. We bless thee that thou hast cast our lot in a land 
 where the true light shineth. We praise thee for all the 
 national mercies and privileges which we enjoy. But 
 alas ! what a hard-hearted people we are, and what re- 
 bellion and ingratitude have we continually betrayed to- 
 wards thee, who art year after year crowning us with 
 mercies ! O humble us under a sense of our national as 
 well as our individual sins. Let us not revolt more and 
 more, but cause thy face to shine upon us, that iniquity 
 may not be our ruin. Show us thy mercy, O Lord, 
 and grant us thy salvation. 
 
 Bless the ministers of thy holy word. Open to them 
 an effectual door of usefulness. May they go forth in 
 the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of peace, rightly 
 dividing the word of truth, and directing sinners to the 
 Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world. 
 Prepare and call forth more labourers into thy vineyard ; 
 for the harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few. 
 
 Bless all institutions formed for the good of society, 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 213 
 
 and for promoting the interests of true religion: especi- 
 ally those which convey the words of eternal life into 
 the hands of our perishing fellow-creatures, and those 
 which send the messengers of thine everlasting gospel to 
 distant shores. 
 
 Let thy blessing rest also upon all establishments for 
 the instruction of our youth. May all our children be 
 taught of thee, that they may remember their Creator in 
 the days of their youth. May their infant minds be di- 
 rected to Jesus ; and as they grow in years may they grow 
 in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour 
 Jesus Christ. 
 
 Bless all our fellow-citizens throughout the land. Mul- 
 tiply grace, mercy, and peace, upon all that love our 
 Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Heal all our unhappy 
 divisions, and may the chief desire of thy people be to 
 promote that blessed religion which brings "Glory to 
 God in the highest, on earth peace, good-will towards 
 men." 
 
 Bless more particularly all our absent relatives and 
 friends — Thou, Lord, knowest whom we desire to bear 
 on our hearts before thee ; may all who are dear to us 
 by alliance and friendship, be dear to thee, being adopted 
 by thy grace and made heirs of thy glory. 
 
 And now, O Lord, while we ask these blessings for 
 others, we would pray for ourselves. We beseech thee 
 to bless us, even us also. Search and try our hearts, that 
 no wicked thoughts or sinful desires may be permitted to 
 lodge there. Keep us this day from all sin, and defend 
 us from all danger. May we run in the way of thy 
 commandments, and seek thy glory in all things. 
 
 Graciously bow thine ear to the prayers which may 
 this day ascend from the hearts of thy people, for the 
 coming of thy kingdom ; and mercifully return an answer 
 in peace, to the glory of thy great name. Bestow upon 
 
214 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 thy church universal, this day, the spirit of wrestling and 
 prevailing prayer, that the cause of an apostate world 
 may be borne on the arms of faith to the mercy-seal. 
 And to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy 
 Ghost, we will ascribe everlasting praises. Amen. 
 
 LAST EVENING OF THE OLD YEAR. Jay. 
 
 O God, thou hast been our refuge and dwelling-place 
 in all generations; before the mountains were brought 
 forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, 
 even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God. And 
 a thousand years in thy sight, are but as yesterday when 
 it is past, and as a w T atch in the night. But as for man, 
 his days are as grass ; as a flower of the field so he 
 flourisheth ; for the wind passeth over it, and it is gone, 
 and the place thereof knoweth it no more. 
 
 We appear before thee, to close in thy presence, another 
 of the revolutions of our fleeting existence; earnestly 
 praying, that the season may not pass away, without 
 suitable and serious reflections. 
 
 What numbers of our fellow creatures, and many of 
 them much more likely to have continued than their sur- 
 vivors, have, during the past year, been carried down to 
 their long home — but we -have been preserved; and are 
 the living to praise thee this day. Blessed be the God of 
 salvation, to whom belong the issues from death, that we 
 are yet in the regions of hope, that we have yet an ac- 
 cepted time, and a day of salvation ; and that our oppor- 
 tunities of doing good, as well as of gaining good, are 
 still prolonged. 
 
 Thou hast commanded us to remember all the way, 
 which thou hast led us in the wilderness. The scene of 
 our journeying has indeed been a wilderness ; but the 
 hand that has conducted us is divine: and a thousand 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 215 
 
 privileges, not derivable from our condition, have been 
 experienced in it. 
 
 Thou hast corrected us, but it is of the Lord's mercies 
 we are not consumed. 
 
 We have had our afflictions, but how few have they 
 been in number ; how short in continuance ; how allevi- 
 ated in degree ; how merciful in design ; how instructive 
 and useful in their results ! 
 
 With regard to our severest exercises, we are com- 
 pelled to acknowledge, thou hast not dealt with us after 
 our sins, neither hast thou rewarded us according to our 
 iniquities. It is good for me that I have been afflicted. 
 
 But O, what a series of bounties and blessings present 
 themselves to our minds, when we look back upon the 
 year through which we have passed ; and to what, but 
 to thine unmerited goodness in the Son of thy love, are 
 we indebted for all. Health, strength, food, raiment, 
 residence, friends, relations, comfort, pleasure, hope, use- 
 fulness, — all our benefits have dropped from thy gracious 
 hand: and there has not been a day, or an hour, or a 
 moment, but has published thy kindness and thy care. 
 
 Especially would we acknowledge thy goodness, in 
 continuing to us the means of grace. Whatever has 
 been denied us, we have had the provisions of thy house. 
 The toils and trials of the week, have been refreshed and 
 relieved by the delights of the Sabbath. Our eyes have 
 seen our teachers. Our ears have heard the joyful sound 
 of the gospel : and our hearts have often said, Lord, it is 
 good for us to be here. 
 
 But O, how unprofitable have we been under the richest 
 means of religious prosperity — and, w r hen for the time 
 we ought to be able to teach others, we have need to be 
 again taught ourselves, what are the first principles of 
 the oracles of God. 
 
 God be merciful to us sinners. Pardon our iniquity, 
 
216 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 for it is great. Cleanse us from all unrighteousness ; and 
 work in us to will and to do of thy good pleasure. Let us 
 not carry one of our old sins with us into the new year — 
 unforgiven — unrepented of — unbe wailed — unabhorred. 
 With a new portion of time, may we have new hearts ; 
 and become new creatures. 
 
 If this year we should die — and in the midst of life we 
 are in death, may death prove our eternal gain ; and if 
 our days are prolonged, may we walk before the Lord 
 in the land of the living, and show forth all thy praise. 
 The number of our months is with thee. In thy hand 
 our breath is, and thine are all thy ways. Prepare us 
 for all ; and be with us in all : and bring us safely through 
 al into the rest that remains for thy people ; for the sake 
 of our Lord and Saviour ; in whose words we call thee, 
 Our Father, &c. Amen. 
 
 FIRST MORNING OF THE NEW YEAR. Jay. 
 
 Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth ; and 
 the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall 
 perish, but thou shalt endure ; yea, all of them shall wax 
 old like a garment ; as a vesture shalt thou change them, 
 and they shall be changed ; but thou art the same, and 
 thy years shall have no end. Through all the successions 
 of time, which with us constitute the past, the present, 
 and the future, I AM is thy name, and this is thy memo- 
 rial in all generations. 
 
 May we rejoice, that while men die, the Lord liveth ; 
 that while all creatures are found broken reeds and 
 broken cisterns, he is the Rock of ages, and the Fountain 
 of living waters. O, that we may turn away our hearts 
 from vanity ; and among all the dissatisfaction and un- 
 certainties of the present state, look after an interest in 
 that everlasting covenant, which is ordered in all things 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 217 
 
 and sure. May wc seek after a union with thyself, as 
 the strength of our heart, and our portion for ever, and 
 be partakers ourselves of the immutability we adore; 
 for thou hast assured us, that while the world passeth 
 away, and the lusts thereof, he that doeth the will of God, 
 abideth for ever. 
 
 We thank thee, that thou hast revealed to us the way 
 in which a fallen and perishing sinner can be eternally 
 united to thyself; and that Jesus is the way, the truth, and 
 the life. . In his name we come ; O receive us graciously ; 
 justify us freely from all things; renew us in the spirit 
 of our minds ; and bless us with all spiritual blessings in 
 heavenly places in Christ. 
 
 As we have entered on a new period of life, may we 
 faithfully examine ourselves, to see what has been amiss 
 in our former temper and conduct ; and in thy strength 
 may we resolve to correct it. And may we inquire for 
 the future — with a full determination to reduce our know- 
 ledge to practice, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do 1 
 
 Prepare us for all the duties of the ensuing year. All 
 the wisdom and strength necessary for the performance 
 of them, must come from thyself; may we, therefore, 
 live a life of self-distrust, of divine dependence, and of 
 prayer ; may we ask and receive, that our joy may be 
 full ; may we live in the spirit, and walk in the spirit. 
 
 If we are indulged with prosperity, O let not our pros- 
 perity destroy us, or injure us. If we are exercised with 
 adversity, suffer us not to sink in the hour of trouble, or 
 sin against God. May we know how to be abased with- 
 out despondence ; and to abound without pride. If our 
 relative comforts are continued to us, may we love them 
 without idolatry, and hold them at thy disposal ; and if 
 they are recalled from us, may we be enabled to say, The 
 Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away ; and blessed 
 be the name of the Lord. 
 
 19 
 
2J8 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 Fit us for all events. We know not what a day may 
 bring forth ; but we encourage ourselves in the Lord our 
 God, and go forward. Nothing can befall us by chance. 
 Thou hast been thus far our helper; and hast promised 
 to be with us in every condition. Thou hast engaged to 
 make all things work together for good ; all thy ways are 
 mercy and truth. May we, therefore, be careful for no- 
 thing, but in every thing, by prayer and supplication with 
 thanksgiving, may we make known our requests unto 
 God ; and may the peace of God that passeth all under- 
 standing, keep our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 
 
 Bless, O bless the young ; may each of them this day 
 hear thee, saying. My son, give me thy heart ; and, from 
 this time, may they cry unto thee as the guide of their 
 youth. Regard those who have reached the years, where- 
 in they say we have no pleasure in them. If old in sin, 
 may they be urged to embrace, before it be for ever too 
 late, the things that belong to their peace ; and if old in 
 grace, uphold them with thy free spirit, and help them to 
 remember, that now is their salvation nearer than when 
 they believed. 
 
 Bless all the dear connexions attached to us by nature, 
 friendship, or religion- Grace to them, and peace be 
 multiplied. 
 
 Let our country share thy protection and smiles. Bless 
 all our rulers and magistrates. 
 
 Bless all our churches and congregations. Bless all 
 thy ministers; may thine ordinances in their hands be 
 enlivening and refreshing, and thy word effectual to wound 
 and to heal. 
 
 May this be a year remarkable for the conversion of 
 souls, and the extension of the Gospel. Bless all mission- 
 ary societies ; and let the circling months see the banners 
 of the Redeemer carried forward, till all nations are 
 subdued to the obedience of faith. Our Father, which 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 219 
 
 art in heaven, hallowed be thy name ; thy kingdom come ; 
 thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven ; give us this 
 day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we 
 forgive those that trespass against us ; and lead us not 
 into temptation ; but deliver us from evil ; for thine is the 
 kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. 
 
 MORNING OF A FAST DAY. CogsicelL 
 
 O thou justly offended Sovereign ; we desire to bow 
 before thee, on this day of fasting, humiliation, and pray- 
 er, with the deepest self-abasement. May we offer unto 
 thee the sacrifice of a broken and contrite heart, which, 
 O God ! thou wilt not despise. O our God ! we are 
 ashamed, and blush to lift up our faces to thee our God ; 
 for our iniquities are increased over our heads, and our 
 trespasses are grown up into the heavens. We confess 
 that we are by nature children of wrath even as others, 
 and are under the curse of a broken law. We have 
 wickedly and ungratefully departed from thee, the living 
 God, and practically said, Depart from us, we desire not 
 the knowledge of thy ways. We have hated and despised 
 reproof, and disregarded thy warnings and instructions, 
 abused thy goodness, and slighted thy mercies. Thou 
 hast nourished and brought us up as children, but we 
 have rebelled against thee. It is of the Lord's mercies, 
 that we are not consumed, because thy compassions fail 
 not. Look down, O God ! in mercy upon us miserable 
 sinners. Pardon us through the mediation of Christ. 
 Blot out all our transgressions, and be at peace with us. 
 Wash us, and we shall be clean ; purify us, and we shall 
 be whiter than snow. Help us to keep such a fast this 
 day, as thou hast chosen, and to rend our hearts, and not 
 our garments ; and turn unto the Lord our God, for he 
 is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great 
 
220 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. We acknow- 
 ledge, O Lord! that iniquity abounds, and the love of 
 many waxes cold. We lament the profanation of thy 
 holy name, and thy holy day ; the disregard of thine au- 
 thority, and the disobedience of thy sacred laws, and that 
 such multitudes cast off fear, and restrain prayer before 
 thee. Pour, we beseech thee, upon thy people, a spirit 
 of repentance and reformation. Let the wickedness of 
 the wicked come to an end ; but establish the just. May 
 temperance and sobriety, industry and good habits, uni- 
 versally prevail. Behold thy people prostrate at the throne 
 of grace, and hear their prayers, whether offered in the 
 sanctuary, in the family, or in the closet. Spare thy peo- 
 ple, O Lord ! and give not thine heritage to reproach. 
 We deserve all thy rebukes and chastisements. Thou 
 wouldst be just, shouldst thou cast us off for ever. Re- 
 turn, O Lord ! how long ? and let it repent thee concern- 
 ing us thy servants. O satisfy us early with thy mercy, 
 that we may rejoice, and be glad all our days. — Preserve 
 us from the pestilence that walketh in darkness, and the 
 destruction that wasteth at noon day. Save us from the 
 ravages of tempests and earthquakes, fire and water, 
 persecution and the sword. Continue the health and hap- 
 piness of thy people. Bless the people of this nation in 
 all their interests and concerns. Ever may we remember, 
 that righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach 
 to any people. Propitiously regard the President of the 
 United States, all heads of department, and all in subor- 
 dinate authority. Give them that wisdom which is from 
 above, and is first pure, then peaceable, and easy to be 
 entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partial- 
 ity, and without hypocrisy. May they ever desire to pro- 
 mote the glory of God, and the highest interest of this 
 people. Bless the Governor of this State, and the legis- 
 lative, judicial, and executive branches of the govern- 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 221 
 
 ment. Smile mercifully upon all the Ministers of religion. 
 May they not shun to declare all the counsel of God, 
 whether men will hear, or whether they will forbear. 
 Make them burning and shining lights in thy golden can- 
 dlesticks, and instrumental of great good to Zion. May 
 all our colleges, academies, and schools of learning, be 
 nurseries of useful knowledge, and of piety. Bless all 
 the institutions of true religion, humanity, and benevo- 
 lence. Graciously succeed all efforts to spread a know- 
 ledge of the gospel of Christ among the great family of 
 man. Compassionate the circumstances of all people, 
 and fill the earth with thy glory. Now unto him that is 
 able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or 
 think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto 
 him be glory in the Church, by Christ Jesus, throughout 
 all ages, world without end. Amen. 
 
 MORNING OF A THANKSGIVING DAY. Jay. 
 
 O God, thou art very great, thou art clothed with honour 
 and majesty ; thou coverest thyself with light as with a 
 garment; thou walkest upon the wings of the wind. 
 When we reflect on the glory of thy majesty, we are filled 
 with wonder at the vastness of thy condescension. For 
 thou condescendest even to behold things that are in 
 heaven. What then is man, that thou art mindful of him, 
 or the Son of man, that thou visitest him 1 
 
 Hitherto hath the Lord helped us. We bless thee fo 1 * 
 personal mercies. If we are called, it is by thy word. 
 If we are renewed, it is by thy Spirit. If we are justi- 
 fied, it is freely by thy grace through the redemption that 
 is in Christ Jesus. It is in thee we live, and move, and 
 have our being. Thy goodness has been always near us, 
 to hear our complaints, to soothe our sorrow, and to com- 
 mand deliverance for us. 
 
 We thank thee for relative benefits ; for blessings on our 
 19 * 
 
222 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 families, blessings on our churches, and blessings on our 
 country. We confess that we are not worthy of the least 
 of all thy mercies, and of all the truth which thou hast 
 showed unto thy servants. Sins of every kind and of 
 every degree, have reigned among us ; have spread 
 through all ranks and orders ; and continued notwithstand- 
 ing all warnings and corrections ; and if thou hadst dealt 
 with us after our sins, or rewarded us according to our 
 iniquities, we should, long ago, have had no name, nor 
 place, among the nations of the globe. 
 
 But to the Lord, our God, belong mercies and forgive- 
 nesses, though we have rebelled against him. All thy 
 dispensations towards us have said, with a tenderness 
 that ought to penetrate our hearts — how shall I give thee 
 up ! Our privileges, never properly improved, and for- 
 feited times without number, have been continued. We 
 still behold our Sabbaths, and our ears still hear the joy- 
 ful sound. Our constitution, liberties, and laws, have not 
 been subverted or impaired. Thou hast given us rains, 
 and fruitful seasons : Thou hast filled us with the finest 
 of the wheat ; our garners have been affording all manner 
 of store ; our oxen have been strong to labour ; our sheep 
 have brought forth thousands and ten thousands in our 
 streets. Thou hast spread thy wing, and sheltered us 
 from the pestilence that walketh in darkness and the de- 
 struction that wasteth at noon-day, 
 
 May we never convert our blessings into instruments 
 of provocation, by making them the means of nourishing 
 pride and presumption, wantonness and intemperance; 
 and compel thee to complain — Do ye thus requite the 
 Lord, O foolish people, and unwise ? Is not he thy Father, 
 that hath bought thee ? Hath he not made thee, and es- 
 tablished thee f 
 
 For this purpose meet with us in thy house ; and may the 
 goings of our God and our King be seen in the sanctua- 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 223 
 
 ry. Be with the preacher, and with the hearers; and 
 let the words of his mouth, and the meditation of their 
 hearts, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, our strength 
 and our Redeemer. May public instruction awaken the 
 ardour of our feelings ; may our gratitude not only be 
 lively, but practical and permanent. And by all thy mer- 
 cies may we present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy 
 and acceptable unto thee, which is our reasonable ser- 
 vice. 
 
 Bless the Lord, ye his angels that excel in strength, 
 that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of 
 his word. Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts : ye ministers 
 of his, that do his pleasure. Bless the Lord, all his works, 
 in all places of his dominion ; bless the Lord, O my soul. 
 Amen. 
 
 WHEN ANY MEMBER OF A FAMILY IS SICK. Swete. 
 
 Almighty and most merciful God, at whose word dis- 
 eases come and depart, encouraged by thy gracious pro- 
 mises, we flee to thee in this our time of need. In sub- 
 mission to thy most wise and holy will, we earnestly sup- 
 plicate thee on behalf of thy servant whose illness causes 
 us great anxiety. O Lord, be gracious to him, [or her,] 
 and enable him to bear with patience those fatherly cor- 
 rections which thou dost lay upon him. Show forth thy 
 power and glory, in raising him from a bed of sickness, 
 and in making him a monument of thy pardoning mercy 
 in Christ Jesus. Merciful God, whatever may be the 
 issue of this sickness, give thy afflicted servant a sancti- 
 fied use of it ; work in him deep conviction of sin, un- 
 feigned repentance towards thee, and steadfast faith in 
 our Lord Jesus Christ. Enable him to build all his 
 hopes upon the crucified Saviour, and looking unto Jesus, 
 may he be filled with resignation, joy and peace. And 
 shouldst thou, in thy tender mercy, bless the means which 
 
224 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 are used for the restoration of his health, Oh ! teach him 
 and us to glorify thee, the God of our salvation, in our 
 bodies and souls which are thine. We present before 
 thee these our supplications, through the merits and me- 
 diation of thy beloved Son, our only Saviour Jesus 
 Christ. Amen. 
 
 WHEN ANY MEMBER OF A FAMILY IS DANGEROUSLY 
 
 ILL. Swetc. 
 
 O thou Creator and Preserver of men, to whom belong 
 the issues both of life and death, we earnestly beseech 
 thee to look down in tender compassion on thy servant, 
 who now groans under the weight of thy chastisement. 
 When all human resources fail, and all human hope is 
 lost, it is not in vain to flee to thee for succour. To the 
 arms of thy mercy, therefore, we commend our dear 
 friend. We know that nothing is impossible with thee, 
 and that if thou wilt, thou canst even yet raise him [or 
 her] up, and grant Mm a longer continuance amongst us. 
 But enable us, gracious Lord, to resign all our thoughts 
 and desires concerning him to thee, for thou knowest what 
 is best both for him and for us. 
 
 Merciful Lord, should this sickness be unto death, we 
 implore thee to succour and strengthen him in his last 
 conflict ; and the more the outward man decayeth, con- 
 tinually strengthen him so much the more with thy grace 
 in the inner man. Wash away all his guilt in the blood 
 of that spotless Lamb, who was slain to take away the 
 sins of the world. Cheer his soul with a comfortable 
 hope of thy pardoning mercy ; and support him whilst 
 passing through the valley of the shadow of death, by 
 the remembrance of thy exceeding great and precious 
 promises. Looking unto Jesus, may he see death deprived 
 of its sting, and the grave of its victory ; yea, may he 
 be enabled to triumph in the prospect of that period 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 225 
 
 when he shall be admitted into thy kingdom, there to 
 unite with the angelic choir, and the spirits of just men 
 made perfect, to celebrate thy glory throughout all eter- 
 nity. 
 
 O Lord, regard us in mercy also; prepare us for 
 whatsoever thou mayest have appointed for us, and if thy 
 wisdom and mercy have ordained the removal of thy 
 servant, whom we are remembering before thee, enable 
 us to meet the awful stroke with serenity of spirit, and to 
 adore the infinite wisdom and love displayed in this and 
 in all thy dispensations towards us. Help us also to im- 
 prove this solemn season. Realize to our minds the un- 
 certain tenure by which we hold all temporal things, and 
 the vast importance of eternal things. May we hear thy 
 warning voice saying to us — " Be ye also ready, for ye 
 know not the day nor the hour when the Son of man 
 cometh." O thou God of our salvation, send down an 
 answer of peace to these our supplications, and do for us 
 above all that we can ask or think, for the sake of 
 Jesus Christ our only Mediator. Amen. 
 
 FAMILY THANKSGIVING. Swete. 
 
 For the Recovery of any Member of it from a Dangerous Sickness. 
 
 O most merciful Lord God, who art wonderful in thy 
 doings, and gracious in thy dispensations towards the 
 children of men, we offer up unto thee our sacrifice of 
 thanksgiving, for bringing back thy servant from the con- 
 fines of the grave. Blessed be thy name, that though thou 
 hast chastened him, [or her,] thou hast not delivered him 
 over unto death. In the midst of thy judgments, thou 
 hast remembered mercy, — thou hast made all his bed in 
 his sickness, and hast restored him to the arms of his 
 family and his friends. 
 
 O gracious God, we thank thee that thou hast heard 
 our supplications, and hast had mercy not on him only, 
 
226 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 tot 
 
 but on us also ; for thou hast turned our mourning into 
 joy, and our disquietude into songs of praise. We be- 
 seech thee to bless all further means made use of for his 
 more perfect recovery to bodily health; but above all 
 things, influence his heart with a grateful sense of thy 
 late goodness towards him, that he may love thee more 
 fervently, serve thee more cheerfully, and trust in thy 
 salvation more assuredly. Suffer him not to become 
 careless because thou hast lengthened out a little that 
 span of life which must soon terminate ; but make him 
 the more watchful and diligent in proportion to the mer- 
 cies vouchsafed to him. Open thou his lips that his mouth 
 may declare thy mercy and truth as long as he lives, and 
 grant both to him and us, a desire to improve the day of 
 grace whilst it shines on us ; looking for the glorious ap- 
 pearing of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ ; to whom, 
 with thee, O Father, and thee, O Eternal Spirit, three 
 Persons in One God, be ascribed all honour and glory, 
 world without end. Amen. 
 
 [The following Collects may be added, on the occasions specified, to 
 Morning and Evening Family Prayers.] 
 
 CHRISTMAS DAY— MORNING. Swete. 
 
 O God, who hast so loved the world, as to give thine 
 only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him, 
 should not perish, but have everlasting life ; help us this 
 day with true humility, and with heartfelt gratitude, and 
 love, and praise, to meditate upon the great mystery of 
 godliness, God manifest in the flesh. 
 
 With thy holy prophet we would rejoice that " unto us 
 a child is born, unto us a son is given, whose name is 
 called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the ever- 
 lasting Father, the Prince of Peace." 
 
 With the choir of angels, we would tune our hearts to 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 227 
 
 the praise of redeeming mercy, and sing, " Glory to God 
 in the highest, on earth peace, good will towards men." 
 
 O Lord, bless us this day with all spiritual blessings in 
 Christ Jesus. Make us joyful in thy house of prayer. 
 Whilst we contemplate the wondrous mystery of the in- 
 carnation and nativity of Christ Jesus our Lord, may we 
 remember all the blessed ends for which he left the glory 
 that he had with the Father before the world was, and 
 became a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief. 
 Give us grace, that we may cast away the works of dark- 
 ness, and put upon us the armour of light, now in the 
 time of this mortal life, in which thy Son Jesus Christ 
 came to visit us in great humility, that in the last day, 
 when he shall come again in his glorious Majesty, to 
 judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to the 
 life immortal, through him who liveth and reigneth with 
 thee and the Holy Ghost, now and ever. Amen. 
 
 CHRISTMAS DAY.— EVENING. Sirete. 
 
 O Lord Jesus Christ, that which we believe of the glory 
 of the Father, and of the Holy Ghost, the same do we 
 believe of thy glory, without any difference or inequality. 
 We adore thee as God over all, blessed for ever; who 
 for us men, and for our salvation, didst come down from 
 heaven, and wast incarnate by the Holy Ghost, of the 
 Virgin Mary, and wast made man. 
 
 O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that 
 takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. 
 Thou that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy 
 upon us, for w r c are vile earth, and miserable sinners. In 
 thee are entered all our hopes of pardon and grace, of 
 consolation and joy. 
 
 We bless thee, that the mystery which hath been hid 
 from ages, hath been revealed unto us, and that this day 
 
228 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 we have again heard the glad tidings that " unto us was 
 born a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." 
 
 O Lord, give unto us the increase of faith, hope, and 
 charity. Enable us, not only to confess thee before men 
 as our Lord and our God, but also to feel our need of thee, 
 as the alone cause of our acceptance at the throne of 
 grace. And O may we receive out of thy fulness grace 
 for grace, be conformed to thy image, and be prepared 
 for the enjoyment of thy glory. 
 
 Saviour of the world, thou art the light to lighten the 
 Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel, — arise and 
 shine upon the world that is lying in darkness, — add to 
 thy church daily such as shall be saved ; and hasten the 
 time when all flesh shall see the salvation of our God. 
 
 Now unto him that is able to keep us from falling, and 
 to present us faultless before the presence of his glory 
 with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, 
 be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and 
 ever. Amen. 
 
 ON THE DEATH OF OUR DEAR FRIENDS. Jenhs. 
 Great God, the Lord of all, thou doest whatsoever 
 thou pleasest in heaven and in earth ; and who may call 
 in question any thing which thou doest ? Thou givest, 
 and takest away, raisest and dashest our hopes, sendest 
 and destroyest our comforts, and thou art wise and right- 
 eous, and good in all ; it is just we should be deprived 
 of the enjoyments which we slight and abuse ; yea, it is 
 good for us to have those things taken from us, which 
 our abuse makes hurtful to us ; blessed be thy name, then, 
 even when thou takest away, as well as when thou givest ; 
 yet, O Lord, who art justly displeased for our sins, in 
 mercy turn these losses to the advantage of our souls, 
 and so repair the breaches out of thy own infinite fulness, 
 that we may find thy own blessed self unto us, more and 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 229 
 
 better than many, even of such friends and comforters; 
 they were but the instrument and means of conveyance ; 
 thou the eternal spring and fountain of all good, art still 
 the same, and amidst all these changes, never changest 
 at all ; and what thou didst give to us by such means, 
 thou canst more than make up to us another way. 
 
 O our heavenly Father, take our eyes, and hearts, and 
 hopes, off of such poor dying comforts, to fix them upon 
 the only satisfying good ; in the enjoyment of which con- 
 sists all our true life, and peace, and bliss ; and let the 
 great emptiness, and frequent disappointments with which 
 we meet, in all the comforts of creatures, and all the en- 
 joyment of the world, teach us more wisdom than to 
 place our affections and dependence upon them ; and help 
 to disengage and loosen our hearts from them, and raise 
 up our desires and hopes to the glorious permanent objects, 
 so infinitely to be preferred before them. O let us be 
 more crucified to the world, where is nothing but empti- 
 ness and disappointment, vanity and vexation of spirit ; 
 and may we have our conversation more in heaven, 
 where are our blessed Lord, and all his happy followers, 
 of whom the world was not worthy, and every thing that 
 the soul of man can want or wish. O God of the spirits 
 of all flesh, especially of the just made perfect, help us 
 to follow thy servants, our friends, departed in the Lord, 
 that we, with them, may attain at last to live in the sight 
 and presence, in the love and praises, and in the fellow- 
 ship and enjoyment of thee, our God, blessed for ever. 
 Amen. , 
 
 IN VIEW OF JOURNEYING. Jay. 
 
 O God, thou hast called thyself the preserver of men, 
 and the length of our days. We are therefore encour- 
 aged to commit ourselves to thy guardian care, in the 
 journey before us. 
 
 20 
 
230 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 Many have parted with their friends, with the hope of 
 soon embracing each other again, but instead of return- 
 ing to their own dwelling, have been conveyed to the 
 house appointed for all living. We pray, with submission 
 to thy pleasure that this may not be our experience. 
 Give thine angels charge concerning us, to keep us in all 
 our ways. Let no evil befall our persons, and no plague 
 come nigh our dwelling. May we know also that our 
 tabernacle is in peace. 
 
 Yet, uncertain what a day may bring forth, may we 
 be prepared for every event of thy providence; and 
 wherever, in dying, we go from, may it be our happiness 
 to know where we are going to — and rejoice in the pros- 
 pect, that when all our wanderings and partings are 
 ended, we shall unite in our heavenly Father's house, and 
 be for ever with the Lord. Amen. 
 
 THANKSGIVING, 
 For a safe return from a Journey. 
 
 As the Keeper of Israel, thou hast been with us, not 
 only in the house, but by the way. We might have been 
 injured by wicked and unreasonable men. We might 
 have been left groaning under the pain of bruised or 
 fractured limbs. Our lives might have been spilt, like 
 water on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again ; 
 and the first tidings that reached our friends, might have 
 plunged them into anguish. 
 
 But all our bones can say, Who is a God like unto thee ? 
 Thy secret too, in our absence, has been upon our taber- 
 nacle, and secured it from all evil — that it may be the 
 tabernacle of the righteous ; and be ever filled, not only 
 with the voice of rejoicing, but of praise ! 
 
 And be with us in all the future journey of life ; guide 
 us by thy counsel, uphold us by thy power, and supply 
 all our wants, till we come to our Father's house in peace. 
 Amen. 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 231 
 
 A PRAYER FOR RAIN. Jenks. 
 
 We confess, O Lord, that we have so greatly abused 
 the comforts of thy good creatures, that thou mightest 
 justly withdraw them from us, and make the heavens 
 over us as brass, and the rain of our land dust, and the 
 land itself to mourn, and all that grows upon it to wither. 
 But O thou Father of mercies, who in judgment remem- 
 berest mercy, consult not now our merits, but thy own 
 mercies, how to use us. Thou that hast the treasures of 
 heaven at thy command, be pleased now to open the win- 
 dows of heaven, and cause the rain to come down in its 
 season ; making grass to grow for the cattle, and herbs 
 and fruits of the earth for the service of men. And how- 
 ever thou art pleased to deal with us, O suppress all our 
 repinings at any of thy dealings ; and let them all humble 
 and sanctify us ; and make us a people prepared to re- 
 ceive the mercies which we need, and wait, and beg for, 
 at thy gracious hands, upon the account of Jesus Christ. 
 Amen. 
 
 FOR FAIR WEATHER. Jenks. 
 
 Lord, if thou shouldst turn a fruitful land into barren- 
 ness, before the wickedness of them that dwell therein : 
 yet righteous wert thou, and just would be thy judgments ; 
 and we must not open our mouths to reply against God ; 
 but bear the indignation of the Lord, which our sins have 
 so much deserved ; when our iniquities have turned away 
 the blessings, and withholden the good things from us. 
 But, O Father of mercies, spare us, and forgive us, for 
 thy own mercy's sake ; and put a stop to the calamity 
 that threatens destruction to the work of thy hands ; that 
 the rain which is a blessing, may not be turned into a 
 curse ; nor descend from heaven to corrupt and spoil the 
 fruits of the earth. O cause the overflowing showers to 
 cease, which damp the joy of the harvest, and endanger 
 
232 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 the blasting of our blessings. And as thou hast given us 
 plenty, and caused our land to yield its increase, so give 
 us, we pray thee, a seasonable time to gather in the fruits 
 which thy bounty has provided for us ; that in the use of 
 them, we may joyfully and cheerfully serve thee; and 
 not consume them upon our lusts, but live to thy glory, 
 as we do upon thy bounty. And when thy judgments 
 are in the land, O that we, who inhabit it, may learn 
 righteousness ! nor let our concern be so great for our 
 bodies as for our souls, that however we fare here, it may 
 go well with us for ever. O let us not labour so for the 
 meat that perisheth, as for that which endures to everlast- 
 ing life ; which everlasting provision for our unchange- 
 able condition, above all, we beg at thy hands, O Lord 
 God our heavenly Father, for the sake of Jesus Christ 
 our only Saviour. Amen. 
 
 A PRAYER TO BE USED IN SECRET BY THE 
 MASTER OF A FAMILY. Jenks. 
 
 O Most High God, the great Lord of all, whose provi- 
 dence disposes the several ranks of men in the world ; 
 and thy word gives rules to masters, as well as servants, 
 how to demean themselves in their respective places. It 
 is thou, my Lord, who hast made me the head of this 
 house : O that I may walk in it with an upright heart, 
 and not shelter any ill thing offensive to God or man, 
 under my roof! but countenancing the pious, correcting 
 the vicious, and yielding myself a pattern of all that good 
 which ought to be seen in the rest ; let me so command 
 my children, and my household after me, that they may 
 keep the way of the Lord. And as for me and my house, 
 let us ever in faithfulness serve the Lord. O that there 
 may not be a hypocrite, nor an unrenewed profane per- 
 son among us. Let not me that am called a master, 
 myself serve sin, nor be enslaved by my own passions 
 and lusts ; but have the dominion over myself; and keep 
 
FAMILY PRAYER. 233 
 
 my ever waiting upon the Lord my God, even as the eyes 
 of servants are in the hands of their masters. 
 
 O that my wife may be the spouse of Christ ; my chil- 
 dren the children of God; my servants the servants of 
 the Lord ; and all the members of my family, the true 
 members of thy church, and the constant followers of all 
 that is laudable and good. Let me not carry myself with 
 rigour and a high hand, or despise the cause even of my 
 servants; but with patience and fairness hear them; and 
 give unto them that which is just and equal, knowing 
 that I also have a Master in heaven. Let me not exult 
 over any that are under the yoke ; nor be severe and 
 cruel to them; nor oppress and defraud them in their 
 wages, nor any rewards or encouragements that they 
 may justly expect from me. But let my dealings with 
 them, and my usage with them, be upright and candid, 
 merciful and kind ; taking care of their bodies and their 
 souls, their maintenance and their carriage, and all that 
 concerns them as their benign patron, and their faithful 
 friend ; and treating them with all due regard, as my 
 brethren and fellow-servants, and my equals in the wor- 
 ship of God, with whom is no respect of persons. O 
 give me, Lord, an understanding heart and prudent con- 
 duct, and such a spirit of government, that I may go in 
 and out before my people as one that is taught of God, 
 and commanding nothing but in the Lord, according to 
 thy will, and for the advancement of thy glory. 
 
 O bless my house, Lord, and preserve it from vice and 
 ungodliness, and from all disorders and dangers, and 
 make it a nursery of virtue and piety, and all that is ex- 
 emplary, and of good report. Direct, O God, and help 
 us every one in the discharge of our several offices ; that 
 we may employ ourselves as we ought, and with quiet- 
 ness do our own business; never forgetting, but above all 
 respecting and pursuing the #reat work of the Lord, for 
 
 20* 
 
234 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 which thou didst send us into the world. O keep us all 
 evermore in thy fear and love; safe under thy tuition, 
 and upon the holy way to thy heavenly kingdom ; through 
 thy mercy to us all. in our common Lord and Saviour 
 Jesus Christ. .Amen. 
 
 BEFORE MEAT. Jay. 
 
 Let thy blessing, Almighty God, descend on this portion of 
 thy bounty, and on us, thy unworthy servants, through Jesus 
 Christ our Lord. Amen. 
 
 Or thus . 
 
 Almighty God, we beseech thee to pardon our sins, to bless 
 the refreshment now before us, to our use, and us to thy ser- 
 vice, through Jesus Christ. Amen. 
 
 Or thus : 
 Bounteous God, we acknowledge our dependence on thee, 
 and our unworthiness of thy benefits. We pray thee to for- 
 give our sins ; to bless us in the reception of this food, and 
 enable us to improve the strength we may derive from it to 
 thy glory, for Christ's sake. Amen. 
 
 AFTER MEAT. Jay 
 
 We thank thee, our heavenly Father, for the rich provision 
 thou hast made for our temporal and eternal welfare ; espe- 
 cially for the food we have now received. May thy goodness 
 lead us to repentance, and thy grace prepare us for heavenly 
 entertainments, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 
 
 Or thus : 
 We praise thee, O Lord, for the provisions of thy providence 
 and grace, and in particular for this renewed token of thy 
 favour. May we feel our increased obligations to be thine, 
 and be fitted at length, to eat bread in thy heavenly kingdom, 
 through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. 
 
 Or thus: 
 We bless thee, O Lord, for this kind refreshment. Be 
 pleased to continue thy favours, and feed us with the bread 
 of life. Supply the wants of the needy, and enable us, while 
 we live on thy bounty, to live to thy glory, for Christ's sake. 
 Amen. 
 
HYMNS 
 
 ADAPTED TO FAMILY WORSHIP 
 
 SELECTED FROM VARIOUS AUTHORS. 
 
 MORNING HYMNS. 
 
 HYMN 1. L.M. 
 
 1 Begin my soul the morning song ; 
 Let thankfulness inspire thy tongue ; 
 The kindness of thy God proclaim, 
 And tell the wonders of his name. 
 
 2 Sing how his hand thy life defends, 
 And for thy guard his angel sends ; 
 In grateful praise his name adore, 
 When fleeting days shall be no more. 
 
 3 Yes, O my God ! thy glorious name, 
 My soul shall through the day proclaim 
 I'll bear thy kindness on my heart, 
 While every power performs its part. 
 
 HYMN 2. CM. 
 
 1 Lord of my life, O may thy praise 
 
 Employ my noblest powers, 
 Whose goodness lengthens out my days, 
 And fills the circling hours. 
 
 2 Preserved by thy almighty arm, 
 
 I pass'd the shades of night, 
 Serene, and safe -from every harm, 
 And see returning light. 
 
 3 While many spent the night in sighs, 
 
 And restless pains and woes ; 
 In gentle sleep I closed my eyes, 
 And undisturbed repose. 
 
236 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 4 When sleep, death's semblance, o'er me spread, 
 
 And I unconscious lay, 
 Thy watchful care was round my bed, 
 To guard my feeble clay. 
 
 5 O let the same almighty care 
 
 My waking hours attend ; 
 From every danger, every snare, 
 My heedless steps defend. 
 
 6 Smile on my minutes as they roll, 
 
 And guide my future days ; 
 And let thy goodness fill my soul 
 With gratitude and praise. 
 
 HYMN 3. L. M. 
 
 1 In sleep's serene oblivion laid, 
 
 I safely pass'd the silent night ; 
 Again I see the breaking shade, 
 And drink again the morning light. 
 
 2 New-born, I bless the waking hour, 
 
 Once more, with awe, rejoice to be ; 
 My conscious soul resumes her power, 
 And springs, my guardian God, to Thee ! 
 
 3 O guide me through the various maze, 
 
 My doubtful feet are doomed to tread ; 
 And spread thy shield's protecting blaze 
 Where dangers press around my head. 
 
 4 A deeper shade shall soon impend, 
 
 A deeper sleep mine eyes oppress ; 
 
 Yet then thy strength shall still defend, 
 
 Thy goodness still delight to bless. 
 
 5 That deeper shade shall break away, 
 
 That deeper sleep shall leave mine eyes; 
 Thy light shall give eternal day — 
 Thy love, the rapture of the skies ! 
 
FAMILY HYMNS. 237 
 
 HYMN 4. 8's, 8's, 6's. 
 
 1 Once more my eyes behold the day, 
 And to my God, my soul would pay 
 
 Its tributary lays : 
 O may the life preserved by thee, 
 With all its powers and blessings, be 
 
 Devoted to thy praise. 
 
 2 Beneath the shadow of thy wings, 
 Israel's great keeper, King of kings, 
 
 My weary head found rest ; 
 No dire alarms, or racking pains, 
 Devouring flames, or galling chains, 
 
 Disturb my peaceful breast. 
 
 3 How many, since I laid me down, 
 Have launch'd into a world unknown, 
 
 To meet a dreadful doom ! 
 While some on watery billows toss'd, 
 Or wand'ring on an unknown coast, 
 
 Have sigh'd in vain for home. 
 
 4 But, I am spared to see thy face, 
 A monument of saving grace, 
 
 And live to praise thy name ; 
 Still be thou near, my gracious Lord, 
 To keep and guide ; — and by thy word, 
 
 Peace, to my soul proclaim. 
 
 5 Let me enjoy thy presence here, 
 In every storm my heart to cheer, 
 
 Till thou shalt bid me rise, 
 Where sin and sorrow never come, 
 Till at my blest eternal home, 
 
 I wake in sweet surprise. 
 
 HYMN 5. CM. 
 
 1 Once more, my soul, the rising day, 
 Salutes thy waking eyes, 
 Once more, my voice, thy tribute pay 
 To him that rules the skies. 
 
238 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 2 Night unto night his name repeats, 
 
 The day renews the sound, 
 Wide as the heaven on which he sits 
 To turn the seasons round. 
 
 3 'T is he supports my mortal frame, 
 
 My tongue shall speak his praise ; 
 My sins would rouse his wrath to flame 
 And yet his wrath delays. 
 
 4 A thousand wretched souls are fled 
 
 Since the last setting sun, 
 And yet thou length'nest out my thread, 
 And yet my moments run. 
 
 5 Dear Lord, let all my hours be thine, 
 
 Whilst I enjoy the light, 
 Then shall my sun in smiles decline, 
 And bring a pleasant night. 
 
 HYMN 6. TV 
 
 1 Now the shades of night are gone ; 
 Now the morning light is come ; 
 Lord, may I be thine to-day — 
 Drive the shades of sin away. 
 
 2 Fill my soul with Heavenly light, 
 Banish doubt, and cleanse my sight ; 
 In thy service, Lord, to-day, 
 
 Help me labour, help me pray. 
 
 3 Keep my haughty passions bound — 
 Save me from my foes around ; 
 Going out and coming in, 
 
 Keep me safe from every sin. 
 
 4 When my work of life is past, 
 Oh ! receive me then at last ! 
 Night of sin will be no more, 
 When I reach the heavenly shore. 
 
FAMILY HYMNS. 239 
 
 HYMN 7. CM. 
 
 1 Thou, gracious Lord, art my defence; 
 
 On thee my hopes rely ; 
 Thou art my glory, and shalt yet 
 Lift up my head on high. 
 
 2 Guarded by him, I laid me down, 
 
 My sweet repose to take ; 
 For I through him securely sleep, 
 Through him in safety wake. 
 
 3 Salvation to the Lord belongs; 
 
 He only can defend: 
 His blessings he extends to all, 
 That on his power depend. 
 
 HYxMN 8. 7's. 
 
 1 Thou, that dost my life prolong, 
 Kindly aid my morning song ; 
 Thankful from my couch I rise, 
 To the God that rules the skies. 
 
 2 Thou didst hear my evening cry ; 
 Thy preserving hand was nigh ; 
 Peaceful slumbers thou hast shed, 
 Grateful to my weary head. 
 
 3 Thou hast kept me through the night, 
 'T was thy hand restored the light : 
 Lord, thy mercies still are new, 
 Plenteous as the morning dew. 
 
 4 Still my feet are prone to stray ; 
 Oh ! preserve me through the day 
 Dangers everywhere abound ; 
 Sins and snares beset me round. 
 
 5 Gently with the dawning ray, 
 On my soul thy beams display ; 
 Sweeter than the smiling morn, 
 Let thy cheering light return. 
 
240 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 HYMN 9. CM. 
 
 1 My God ! who makes the sun to know 
 
 His proper hour to rise, 
 And, to give light to all below, 
 Doth send him round the skies. 
 
 2 When from the chambers of the east, 
 
 His morning race begins, 
 He never tires, nor stops to rest, 
 But round the world he shines. 
 
 3 So, like the sun, may I fulfil 
 
 The business of the day; 
 Begin my work betimes, and still 
 March on my Heavenly way. 
 
 4 Give me, O Lord, thy early grace, 
 
 Nor let my soul complain, 
 That the young morning of my days 
 Hath all been spent in vain. 
 
 HYMN 10. To. 
 
 1 Christ, whose glory fills the skies ; 
 Christ, the true and only light ; 
 Sun of righteousness arise ; 
 Triumph o'er the shades of night ; 
 Day Spring from on high appear ; 
 Day Star in my heart appear. 
 
 2 Dark and cheerless is the morn, 
 Unaccompanied by thee ; 
 Joyless is the day's return, 
 
 Till thy mercy's beams I see ; 
 Till thy inward light impart, 
 Glad my eyes and warm my heart. 
 
 3 Visit thou this soul of mine; 
 Pierce the gloom of sin and grief, 
 Fill me, radiancy divine ; 
 Scatter all my unbelief; 
 
 More and more thyself display ; 
 Shining to the perfect day. 
 
FAMILY HYMNS. 241 
 
 HYMN 11. CM. 
 
 1 The rising morn can not ensure 
 
 That we shall end the day ; 
 For death stands ready at the door, 
 To call our lives away. 
 
 2 Our life is forfeited by sin 
 
 To God's most righteous law : 
 We own thy grace, immortal king, 
 In every breath we draw. 
 
 HYMN 12. S. M. 
 
 1 See how the mountain sun 
 
 Pursues his shining way ; 
 And wide proclaims his Maker's prafce, 
 With every bright'ning ray. 
 
 2 Thus would my rising soul 
 
 Its Heavenly Parent sing; 
 And to its great Original 
 The humble tribute bring. 
 
 3 Serene, I laid me down 
 
 Beneath his guardian care : 
 I slept, and I awoke, and found 
 My kind preserver near. 
 
 4 Thus does thine arm support 
 
 This weak defenceless frame ; 
 But whence these favours, Lord, to me, 
 All worthless as I am 1 
 
 5 O ! how shall I repay 
 
 The bounties of my God 1 
 
 This feeble spirit pants beneath 
 
 The pleasing painful load. 
 
 6 Dear Saviour, to thy cross 
 
 I bring my sacrifice ; 
 Cleansed by thy blood, it shall ascend 
 With fragrance to the skies. 
 21 
 
242 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 7 My life I would anew 
 
 Devote, O Lord, to thee ; 
 And in thy service I would spend 
 A long eternity. 
 
 HYMN 13. L. M. 
 
 1 Arise our souls ! with rapture rise ! 
 
 And fill'd with love and fear adore 
 The awful Sov'reign of the skies, 
 Whose mercy lends us one day more. 
 
 2 And may this day, indulgent power 
 
 Not idly pass, nor fruitless be ; 
 But may each swiftly flying hour 
 Still nearer bring our souls to thee ! 
 
 3 But can it be 1 That power Divine 
 
 Is throned in light's unbounded blaze ; 
 And countless worlds and angels join 
 To swell the glorious song of praise : 
 
 4 And will he deign to lend an ear, 
 
 When we, poor, sinful mortals, pray ! 
 Yes, boundless goodness ! he will hear, 
 Nor cast the meanest wretch away. 
 
 5 Then let us serve thee all our days, 
 
 And may our zeal with years increase ; 
 For pleasant, Lord, are all thy ways, 
 And all thy paths are paths of peace. 
 
 HYMN 14. L. M. 
 
 1 Thy glory, Lord, the heavens display ; 
 
 Thy work the firmament declares : 
 
 The circling change of night and day 
 
 The message of thy wisdom bears. 
 
 2 That message needs nor voice nor sound, 
 
 To spread its tale of power abroad: 
 Light's silent march alone, around 
 Proclaims to all the worlds their God. 
 
FAMILY HYMNS. 243 
 
 3 High 'mid those worlds, the giant force 
 
 Of yon bright sun, thy might obeys : 
 Thy word impels his morning course, 
 Thy word recalls his evening rays. 
 
 4 Forth from the chambers of the night 
 
 He rushes to his glad career, 
 And spreads through all the paths of light 
 The splendours of his welcome year. 
 
 5 Thus rising in a brighter morn, 
 
 In cloudless majesty sublime, 
 The sun of Righteousness shall dawn 
 Thro' heaven, thro' earth, thro' space and time ; 
 
 6 And scatt'ring broad the piercing gleam, 
 
 O'er worlds, around, above, beneath, 
 The Christ of God, the living beam 
 Shall brighten all the dooms f death. 
 
 EVENING HYMNS. 
 
 HYMN 15. CM. 
 
 1 Dread Sov'reign, let my evening song, 
 
 Like holy incense, rise ; 
 Assist the offerings of my tongue 
 To reach the lofty skies. 
 
 2 Through all the dangers of the day 
 
 Thy hand was still my guard, 
 And still to drive my wants away 
 Thy mercy stood prepared. 
 
 3 Perpetual blessings from above 
 
 Encompass me around ; 
 But, O how few returns of love 
 Hath my Creator found ! 
 
 4 What have I done for him that died 
 
 To save my wretched soul ] 
 How are my follies multiplied, 
 Fast as my minutes roll ! 
 
244 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 5 Lord, with this guilty heart of mine 
 To thy dear cross I flee, 
 And to thy grace my soul resign, 
 To be renewed by thee. 
 
 HYMN 16. CM. 
 
 1 Father, by saints on earth adored, 
 
 By saints beyond the skies, 
 Accept, through Jesus Christ our Lord, 
 Our evening sacrifice. 
 
 2 If kept to-day from wilful sin, 
 
 We magnify thy grace ; 
 Thou hast our kind preserver been, 
 And thine be all the praise. 
 
 3 We live to testify the grace, 
 
 Which sure salvation brings ; 
 And sink to-night, in thine embrace, 
 And rest beneath thy wings. 
 
 4 But whether, Lord, we wake or sleep, 
 
 The charge of love divine, 
 We trust thy providence to keep 
 Our souls forever thine. 
 
 HYMN 17. L. M. 
 
 1 Glory to thee, my God, this night, 
 For all the blessings of the light : 
 Keep me, oh keep me, King of kings, 
 Beneath thine own Almighty wings. 
 
 2 Forgive me, Lord, for thy dear Son, 
 The ill that I this day have done : 
 That with the world, myself, and thee, 
 I, ere I sleep, at peace may be. 
 
 3 Teach me to live, that I may dread 
 The grave as little as my bed ; 
 Teach me to die, that so I may 
 Rise glorious at the judgment day. 
 
FAMILY HYMNS. 245 
 
 4 Let my blest guardian, while I sleep, 
 His watchful station near me keep ; 
 My heart with love celestial fill, 
 
 And guard me from th' approach of ill. 
 
 5 Lord, let my soul forever share 
 The bliss of thy paternal care : 
 
 'Tis Heaven on earth, 'tis Heaven above, 
 To see thy face, and sing thy love ! 
 
 HYMN 18. CM. 
 
 1 Great God, to thee my evening song 
 
 With humble gratitude I raise : 
 
 let thy mercy tune my tongue, 
 And fill my heart with lively praise, 
 
 2 My days unclouded, as they pass, 
 
 And ev'ry gently rolling hour, 
 Are monuments of wondrous grace, 
 And witness to thy love and power. 
 
 3 My numerous wants are known to thee, 
 
 Ere my slow wishes can arise; 
 Thy goodness, measureless and free, 
 Is ready still with full supplies. 
 
 4 Seal my forgiveness in the blood 
 
 Of Jesus ; his dear name alone 
 
 1 plead for pardon, gracious God, 
 
 And kind acceptance at thy throne. 
 
 5 Let this blest hope my eye-lids close, 
 
 With sleep refresh my feeble frame ; 
 Safe in thy care may I repose, 
 And wake with praises to thy name. 
 
 HYMN 19. C. M. 
 
 1 Indulgent Father, by whose care, 
 I've passed another day, 
 Let me this night thy mercy share, 
 And teach me how to pray. 
 21* 
 
246 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 2 Show me my sins, and how to moan 
 
 My guilt before thy face ; 
 Direct me, Lord, to Christ alone, 
 And save me by thy grace. 
 
 3 Speak to my conscience, speak thou peace, 
 
 Through his atoning blood ; 
 And grant me, Lord, a full release 
 From sin's oppressive load. 
 
 4 Show me my wants, and let me crave 
 
 Nothing but what is right ; 
 Help me, by faith, on thee to live, 
 - Then change my faith to sight. 
 
 5 Let each returning night declare 
 
 The tokens of thy love ; 
 And every hour thy grace prepare 
 My soul for joys above. 
 
 6 And when on earth I close mine eyes, 
 
 To sleep in death's embrace, 
 Let me to Heaven and glory rise, 
 T' enjoy thy smiling face. 
 
 HYMN 20. L.M. 
 
 1 The night shall hear us raise our songs, 
 And in her silent courts, our tongues 
 Shall pour the social, grateful lay, 
 
 For all the mercies of the day. 
 
 2 Nor will our God disdain to hear, 
 
 The sighs we breathe — the fervent prayer 
 When, sinking to our nightly rest, 
 We seek the pillow of his breast. 
 
 3 And when the blushing morn shall rise, 
 To tinge with gold the eastern skies ; 
 With strength renewed, our thankful lay 
 Shall hail the new-born beams of day. 
 
FAMILY HYMNS. 247 
 
 HYMN 21. CM. 
 
 1 Now, from the altar of our hearts, 
 
 Let flames of incense rise, 
 Assist us, Lord, to offer up 
 Our evening sacrifice. 
 
 2 Minutes and mercies multiplied. 
 
 Have made up all this day; 
 Minutes came quick, but mercies were 
 More swift and free than they. 
 
 3 New time, new favour, and new joys, 
 
 Do a new song require ; 
 Till we shall praise thee as we would, 
 Accept our heart's desire. 
 
 HYMN 22. CM. 
 
 1 O Lord, another day is flown, 
 
 And we, a lonely band, 
 Are met once more before thy throne, 
 To bless thy fostering hand. 
 
 2 And wilt thou bend a listening ear, 
 
 To praise so low as ours 1 
 Thou wilt ! for thou dost love to hear 
 The song which meekness pours. 
 
 3 And Jesus, thou thy smiles wilt deign, 
 
 As we before thee pray ; 
 For thou didst bless the infant train, 
 And we are less than they. 
 
 4 And thou wilt turn our wand' ring feet 
 , And thou wilt bless our way ; 
 
 Till worlds shall fade, and faith shall greet 
 The dawn of lasting day. 
 
 HYMN 23. 8's, 7's 
 
 1 Saviour, breathe an evening blessing, 
 Ere repose our spirits seal : 
 Sin and want we come confessing, 
 Thou canst save, and thou canst heal. 
 
248 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 Though destruction walk around us, 
 Though the arrows past us fly, 
 
 Angel-guards from thee surround us, 
 We are safe if thou art nigh. 
 
 2 Though the night be dark and dreary, 
 
 Darkness cannot hide from thee ; 
 Thou art He who, never weary, 
 
 Watchest where thy people be ; 
 Should swift death this night o'ertake us, 
 
 And our couch become our tomb ; 
 May the morn in heaven awake us, 
 
 Clad in light and deathless bloom. 
 
 HYMN 24. P. M, 
 
 1 Through the day thy love has spared us 
 
 Now we lay us down to rest : 
 Through the silent watches guard us, 
 
 Let no foe our peace molest ; 
 Jesus, thou our guardian be ; 
 Sweet it is to trust in thee. 
 
 2 Pilgrims here on earth, and strangers, 
 
 Dwelling in the midst of foes, 
 Us and ours preserve from dangers ; 
 
 In thine arms may we repose ; 
 And when life's short day is past, 
 Rest with thee in heaven at last. 
 
 HYMN 25. C. M. 
 
 1 Lord thou wilt hear me when I pray ; 
 
 I am for ever thine ; 
 I fear before thee all the day, 
 Nor would I dare to sin. 
 
 2 And while I rest my weary head, 
 
 From cares and business free, 
 
 'T is sweet conversing on my bed 
 
 With my own heart and thee. 
 
FAMILY HYMNS. 249 
 
 3 I pay this evening sacrifice; 
 
 And when my work is done, 
 Great God, my faith and hope relies 
 Upon thy grace alone. 
 
 4 Thus with my thoughts composed to peace, 
 
 I '11 give my eyes to sleep ; 
 Thy hand in safety keeps my days, 
 And will my slumbers keep. 
 
 HYMN 26. L. M. 
 
 1 Thus far the Lord has led me on, 
 
 Thus far his power prolongs my days, 
 And every evening shall make known 
 Some fresh memorial of his grace. 
 
 2 Much of my time has run to waste, 
 
 And I, perhaps, am near my home ; 
 But he forgives my follies past, 
 And gives me strength for days to come. 
 
 3 I lay my body down to sleep, 
 
 Peace is the pillow for my head ; 
 While well-appointed angels keep 
 Their watchful stations round my bed. 
 
 4 In vain the sons of earth or hell 
 
 Tell me a thousand frightful things; 
 My God in safety makes me dwell 
 Beneath the shadow of his wings. 
 
 5 Faith in his name forbids my fear : 
 
 Oh, may thy presence ne'er depart ! 
 And in the morning make me hear 
 The love and kindness of thy heart. 
 
 6 Thus when the night of death shall come, 
 
 My flesh shall rest beneath the ground, 
 And wait thy voice to rouse my tomb, 
 With sweet salvation in the sound. 
 
250 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 HYMN 27. S. M. 
 
 1 Another day is past 
 
 The hours for ever fled, 
 And time is bearing me in haste, 
 To mingle with the dead. 
 
 2 Perhaps my closing eyes 
 
 No more may hail the light, 
 Seal'd up before the morning rise, 
 In everlasting night. 
 
 3 Jesus ! and art thou mine] 
 
 O let thy heavenly voice 
 Confirm my hope with power divine, 
 And bid my soul rejoice. 
 
 4 Then shall my closing eyes, 
 
 Contented, sink to rest ; 
 For if to-night this body dies, 
 My spirit shall be blest. 
 
 HYMN 28. S. M. 
 
 1 The day is past and gone, 
 
 The evening shades appear ; 
 Oh, may I ever keep in mind, 
 The night of death draws near. 
 
 2 I lay my garments by, 
 
 Upon my bed to rest, 
 So death will soon remove me hence, 
 And leave my soul undrest. 
 
 3 Lord, keep me safe this night, 
 
 Secure from all my fears ; 
 May angels guard me while I sleep. 
 Till morning light appears. 
 
 4 And when I early rise 
 
 To view th' unwearied sun, 
 May I set out to win the prize, 
 And after glory run. 
 
FAMILY HYMNS. 251 
 
 5 That when my days are past, 
 And I from time remove, 
 Lord, I may in thy bosom rest, 
 The bosom of thy love. 
 
 HYMN 29. 8's. 
 
 1 Inspirer and hearer of prayer, 
 
 Before whom a sinner may bend 
 My ali to thy covenant care, 
 I sleeping or waking commend. 
 
 2 If thou art my shield and my sun, 
 
 The night is no darkness to me ; 
 And fast as my moments roll on, 
 They bring me but nearer to thee. 
 
 3 From evil secure, and its dread, 
 
 I rest, if my Saviour be nigh ; 
 And songs, his kind presence indeed, 
 Shall in the night season supply. 
 
 4 He smiles, and my comforts abound ; 
 
 His grace as the dew shall descend ; 
 And walls of salvation surround 
 The soul he delights to defend. 
 
 HYMN 30. C. M. 
 
 1 Indulgent God, whose bounteous care 
 
 O'er all thy works is shown, 
 Oh, let my grateful praise and prayer 
 Arise before thy throne. 
 
 2 What mercies has this day bestowed ! 
 
 How largely hast thou blest ! 
 My cup with plenty overflowed, 
 With cheerfulness my breast. 
 
 3 Now may soft slumber close my eyes, 
 
 From pain and sickness free ; 
 And let my waking thoughts arise, 
 To meditate on thee. 
 
252 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 4 Thus bless each future day and night, 
 Till life's vain scene is o'er ; 
 And then to realms of endless light 
 Oh, let my spirit soar. 
 
 HYMN 31. 7's. 
 
 1 Softly now the light of day 
 Fades upon my sight away ; 
 Free from care — from labour free, 
 Lord, I would commune with thee. 
 
 2 Soon for me the light of day 
 Shall for ever pass away : 
 Then from sin and sorrow free, 
 Take me, Lord, to dwell with thee. 
 
 HYMN 32. CM. 
 
 1 I love to steal awhile away, 
 
 From every cumb'ring care, 
 And spend the hours of setting day, 
 In humble, grateful prayer. 
 
 2 I love in solitude to shed 
 
 The penitential tear, 
 And all His promises to plead, 
 Where none but God can hear. 
 
 3 I love to think on mercies past, 
 
 And future good implore, 
 And all my cares and sorrows cast 
 On him whom I adore. 
 
 4 I love by faith to take a view 
 
 Of brighter scenes in Heaven ; 
 The prospect doth my strength renew, 
 While here by tempests driven. 
 
 5 Thus, when life's toilsome day is o'er, 
 
 May its departing ray 
 Be calm as this impressive hour, 
 And lead to endless day. 
 
FAMILY PIYMNS. 253 
 
 MORNING OR EVENING HYMNS. 
 
 HYMN 33. L. M. 
 
 1 My God, how endless is thy love ! 
 
 Thy gifts are every evening new ; 
 And morning mercies from above, 
 Gently distil like early dew. 
 
 2 Thou spread'st the curtains of the night, 
 
 Great Guardian of my sleeping hours ; 
 Thy sov'reign word restores the light, 
 And quickens all my drowsy powers. 
 
 3 I yield my powers to thy command, . 
 
 To thee I consecrate my days ; 
 Perpetual blessings from thine hand 
 Demand perpetual songs of praise. 
 
 HYMN 34. L. M. 
 
 1 My God, accept my early vows, 
 
 Like morning incense in thine house, 
 And let my nightly worship rise 
 Sweet as the evening sacrifice. 
 
 2 Watch o'er my lips, and guard them, Lord, 
 
 From ev'ry rash and heedless word ; 
 Nor let my feet incline to tread 
 The guilty path where sinners lead. 
 
 3 O may the righteous, when I stray 
 
 Smite and reprove my wand'ring way ! 
 Their gentle words, like ointment shed, 
 Shall never bruise, but cheer my head. 
 
 4 When I behold them prest with grief, 
 
 I '11 cry to Heaven for their relief; 
 And by my warm petitions prove 
 How much I prize their faithful love. 
 22 
 
254 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 HYMN 35. CM. 
 
 1 Indulgent Father, how divine, 
 
 How bright thy beauties are ! 
 Through nature's ample round they shine, 
 Thy goodness to declare. 
 
 2 But in thy nobler work of grace, 
 
 What brighter mercy smiles 
 In our benign Redeemer's face, 
 And every fear beguiles ! 
 
 3 Such wonders, Lord, while we survey, 
 
 To thee our thanks shall rise, 
 When morning ushers in the day, 
 Or evening veils the skies. 
 
 4 When glimm'ring life resigns its flame, 
 
 Thy praise shall tune our breath ; 
 The dear memorials of thy name 
 Shall gild the shades of death. 
 
 5 But oh, how sweet our song shall rise, 
 
 When freed from feeble clay ; 
 When all thy glories meet our eyes 
 In one eternal day ! 
 
 HYMN 36. L. M. 6 lines. 
 
 'For whether we Jive, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die 
 unto the Lord." — Rom. xiv. 8. 
 
 1 When streaming from the eastern skies, 
 The morning light salutes our eyes, 
 
 O sun of righteousness divine, 
 On us with beams of mercy shine ; 
 Chase the dark clouds of guilt away, 
 And turn our darkness into day. 
 
 2 When to our great and glorious king, 
 Our morning sacrifice we bring ; 
 
 And, mourning o'er our guilt and shame, 
 Ask mercy in the Saviour's name : 
 Then, Jesus, sprinkle with thy blood, 
 And be our Advocate with God. 
 
FAMILY HYMNS. 255 
 
 3 As every day thy mercy spares, 
 Will bring its trials and its cares, 
 O Saviour, till our lives shall end, 
 Be thou our counsellor and friend; 
 Teach us thy precepts, all divine, 
 And be thy great example ours. 
 
 4 When each day's scenes and labours close, 
 And wearied nature seeks repose, 
 
 With pard'ning mercy richly blest, 
 Protect us, Saviour, while we rest, 
 And as each morning sun shall rise, 
 O lead us onward to the skies. 
 
 5 And at our life's last setting sun, 
 Our conflicts o'er, our labours done ; 
 Jesus, thine heavenly radiance shed, 
 To cheer and bless our dying bed, 
 
 And from death's gloom our spirits raise, 
 " To see thy face, and sing thy praise." 
 
 SABBATH MORNING AND EVENING HYMNS. 
 
 HYMN 37. L.M. 
 
 1 Come dearest Lord and bless this day, 
 Come bear our thoughts from earth away ; 
 Now let our noblest passions rise 
 
 With ardour to their native skies. 
 
 2 Come, Holy Spirit, all divine, 
 With rays of light upon us shine ; 
 And let our waiting souls be blest, 
 On this sweet day of sacred rest. 
 
 3 Then, when our Sabbaths here are o'er, 
 And we arrive on Canaan's shore, 
 With all the ransomed, we shall spend 
 A Sabbath which shall never end. 
 
256 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 HYMN S8. L.M. 
 
 1 Again our weekly labours end, 
 And we the Sabbath's call attend ; 
 Let us improve the sacred rest, 
 
 And bless the day which God hath blest. 
 
 2 This day let prayers and praises rise, 
 To God a grateful sacrifice ! 
 
 Thy peace, O Lord, on us bestow ! 
 Which none, but they who feel it, know. 
 
 3 That peace of thine within the breast 
 Is a rich foretaste of a rest 
 
 Which for thy Church, O God, remains 
 A rest from sin and guilt and pains. 
 
 4 In holy duties let this day, 
 Heaven's type and emblem, pass away : 
 Each Sabbath, Lord, we thus would spend, 
 In hope of that which ne'er shall end. 
 
 HYMN 39. CM. 
 
 1 Come, let us join with sweet accord 
 
 In hymns around the throne ; 
 This is the day our rising Lord 
 Hath made and call'd his own. 
 
 2 This is the day which God hath blest, 
 
 The brightest of the seven ; 
 
 Type of that everlasting rest, 
 
 The saint3 enjoy in heaven. 
 
 HYMN 40. L.M. 6 lines. 
 
 1 Great God ! this sacred day of thine, 
 Demands the soul's collected powers ; 
 Gladly we now to thee resign 
 
 These solemn, these devoted hours ! 
 O may our souls adoring own 
 The grace that calls us to thy throne ! 
 
FAMILY HYMNS. 257 
 
 2 Hence, ye vain cares and trifles, fly ; 
 
 Where God resides appear no more ; 
 Redeemer ! thine all-piercing eye 
 
 Can every secret thought explore : 
 O may thy grace our bosoms move, 
 And fix our thoughts on things above ! 
 
 3 Thy Spirit's powerful aid impart, 
 
 And bid thy word, with life divine, 
 Engage the ear, and warm the heart, 
 
 Then shall the day indeed be thine ; 
 Then shall our souls adoring own 
 The grace that calls us to thy throne. 
 
 HYMN 41. C. M. 
 
 1 Lord, in the morning thou shalt hear 
 
 My voice ascending high ! 
 To thee will I direct my prayer, 
 To thee lift up mine eye. 
 
 2 Up to the hills where Christ is gone 
 
 To plead for all his saints, 
 Presenting at his Father's throne 
 Our songs and our complaints. 
 
 3 Thou art a God before whose sight 
 
 The wicked shall not stand; 
 
 Sinners shall ne'er be thy delight, 
 
 Nor dwell at thy right hand. 
 
 4 But to thy house will I resort 
 
 To taste thy mercies there ; 
 I will frequent thy holy court, 
 And worship in thy fear. 
 
 5 Oh, may thy Spirit guide my feet 
 
 In ways of righteousness ! 
 Make every path of duty straight, 
 And plain before my face. 
 
 22* 
 
258 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 HYMN 42. P.M. 
 
 1 Awake, our drowsy souls, 
 
 Shake off each slothful band ; 
 The wonders of this day 
 Our noblest songs demand. 
 Auspicious morn ! 
 
 Thy blissful rays 
 Bright seraphs hail 
 In songs of praise. 
 
 2 At thy approaching dawn, 
 
 Reluctant death resigned 
 The glorious Prince of life, 
 Its dark domains confined : 
 Th' angelic host 
 
 Around him bends, 
 And 'mid their shouts 
 The Lord ascends. 
 
 3 All hail, triumphant Lord, 
 
 Heaven with hosannas rings ; 
 While earth in humbler strains 
 Thy praise responsive sings ; 
 Worthy art thou, 
 
 Who once wast slain, 
 Through endless years 
 To live d.nd reign. 
 
 4 Gird on, great God, thy sword 
 
 Ascend thy conquering car, 
 While justice, truth, and love 
 Maintain the glorious war : 
 Victorious thou, 
 
 Thy foes shalt tread, 
 And sin and Hell 
 In triumph lead. 
 
 5 Make bare thy potent arm, 
 
 And wing th' unerring dart 
 With salutary pangs, 
 To each rebellious heart. 
 
FAMILY HYMNS. 259 
 
 Then dying souls 
 For life shall sue, 
 
 Numerous as drops 
 Of morning dew. 
 
 HYMN 43. C. M. 
 
 1 This is the day the Lord hath made, 
 
 Let young and old rejoice : 
 To him be vows and homage paid, 
 Whose service is our choice. 
 
 2 This is the homage he requires, — 
 
 The voice of praise and prayer, 
 The soul's affections, hopes, desires, 
 Ourselves, and all we are. 
 
 3 While rich and poor for mercy call, 
 
 Propitious from the skies, 
 The Lord, the Maker of them all, 
 Accepts the sacrifice. 
 
 4 Well pleased, through Jesus Christ his Son, 
 
 From sin he grants release, 
 According to their faith 't is done, 
 He bids them go in peace. 
 
 HYMN 44. P.M. 
 
 1 Welcome, delightful morn ! 
 
 Thou day of sacred rest ; 
 I hail thy kind return ; 
 Lord, make these moments blest. 
 From low delights, 
 And mortal toys, 
 I soar to reach 
 Immortal joys. 
 
 2 Now may the King descend, 
 
 And fill his throne of grace ; 
 Thy sceptre, Lord, extend, 
 While saints address thy face ; 
 
260 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 Let sinners feel 
 
 Thy quick'ning word, 
 
 And learn to know 
 And fear the Lord. 
 
 3 Descend, celestial Dove, 
 
 With all thy quick'ning powers j 
 Disclose a Saviour's love, 
 And bless these sacred hours : 
 Then shall my soul 
 
 New life obtain, 
 Nor Sabbaths be 
 Indulged in vain. 
 
 HYMN 45. C. M. 
 
 1 And now another week begins, 
 
 This day we call the Lord's ; 
 This day he rose, who bore our sins, 
 For so his word records. 
 
 2 Hark, how the angels sweetly sing ! — 
 
 Their voices fill the sky — 
 They hail their great victorious King, 
 And welcome him on high. 
 
 3 We '11 catch the note of lofty praise ; 
 
 Their joys O may we feel ; 
 Our thankful song with them we '11 raise, 
 And emulate their zeal. 
 
 4 Come, then, ye saints, and grateful sing 
 
 Of Christ, our risen Lord; 
 Of Christ the everlasting King, 
 Of Christ th' incarnate Word. 
 
 5 Hail, mighty Saviour, thee we hail ! 
 
 High on thy throne above ; 
 Till heart and flesh together fail, 
 "We '11 sing thy matchless love. 
 
FAMILY HYMNS. 201 
 
 HYMN 46. L.M. 
 
 1 My op'ning eyes with rapture see 
 
 The dawn of thy returning day ; 
 
 My thoughts, O God, ascend to thee, 
 
 While thus my early vows I pay. 
 
 2 I yield my heart to thee alone, 
 
 Nor would receive another guest ; 
 Eternal King ! erect thy throne, 
 And reign sole monarch in my breast. 
 
 3 O bid this trifling world retire, 
 
 And drive each carnal thought away; 
 Nor let me feel one vain desire — 
 
 One sinful thought through all the day. 
 
 4 Then, to thy courts when I repair, 
 
 My soul shall rise on joyful wing, 
 The wonders of thy love declare, 
 And join the strains which angels sing 
 
 HYMN 4T. CM. 
 
 1 Again the Lord of life and light 
 
 Awakes the kindling ray ; 
 Dispels the darkness of the night, 
 And pours increasing day. 
 
 2 Oh ! what a night was that, which wrapt 
 
 A sinful world in gloom ! 
 O what a sun which broke, this day, 
 Triumphant from the tomb ! 
 
 3 This day be grateful homage paid, 
 
 And loud hosannas sung ; 
 Let gladness dwell in every heart, 
 And praise on every tongue. 
 
 4 Ten thousand thousand lips shall join 
 
 To hail this welcome morn, 
 Which scatters blessings from its wings, 
 To nations yet unborn. 
 
262 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 HYMN 48. L. M. 
 
 Christ's Death and Resurrection. 
 
 1 Come tune, ye saints, your noblest strains, 
 
 Your dying, rising Lord to sing ; 
 And echo to the heavenly plains, 
 The triumphs of your Saviour King. 
 
 2 In songs of grateful rapture, tell, 
 
 How he subdued your potent foes ; 
 
 Subdued the powers of death and hell, 
 
 And dying, finished all your woes. 
 
 3 Then to his glorious throne on high 
 
 Returned, while hymning angels round, 
 Through the bright arches of the sky, 
 The God, the conquering God resound. 
 
 4 Almighty love, victorious power ! 
 
 Not angel-tongues can e'er display 
 The wonders of that dreadful hour, 
 The joys of that illustrious day. 
 
 5 Dear Saviour, let thy wondrous grace 
 
 Fill every heart and every tongue, 
 Till the full glories of thy face 
 Inspire a sweeter nobler song. 
 
 HYMN 49. CM. 
 
 1 Sweet is the work, my God, my King, 
 To praise thy name, give thanks and sing ; 
 To show thy love by morning light, 
 
 And talk of all thy truth at night. 
 
 2 Sweet is the day of sacred rest, 
 
 No mortal cares shall seize my breast ; 
 O may my heart in tune be found, 
 Like David's harp of solemn sound ! 
 
 3 My heart shall triumph in my Lord, 
 And bless his works, and bless his word : 
 Thy works of grace, how bright they shine ! 
 How deep thy counsels ! how divine ! 
 
FAMILY HYMNS. 263 
 
 HYMN 50. CM. 
 
 Hosanna; the Lord's day; or, Christ's Resurrection and our 
 salvation. 
 
 1 This is the day the Lord hath made, 
 
 He calls the hours his own : 
 Let heaven rejoice ; let earth be glad, 
 And praise surround the throne. 
 
 2 To-day he rose and left the dead ; 
 
 And Satan's empire fell ; 
 To-day the saints his triumphs spread, 
 And all his wonders tell. 
 
 3 Hosanna to th' anointed King, 
 
 To David's holy Son; 
 Help us, O Lord, descend and bring 
 Salvation from thy throne. 
 
 4 Blest be the Lord who comes to men 
 
 With messages of grace ; 
 Who comes in God his Father's name, 
 To save our sinful race. 
 
 5 Hosanna in the highest strain 
 
 The church on earth can raise ; 
 The highest heavens in which he reigns, 
 Shall give him nobler praise. 
 
 HYMN 51. S.M. 
 
 Hosanna for the Lords day; or, a new song of salvation by 
 Christ. 
 
 1 See what a living stone 
 
 The builders did refuse ! 
 Yet God hath built his church thereon 
 In spite of envious Jews. 
 
 2 The scribe and angry priest 
 
 Reject thine only Son ; 
 Yet on this rock shall Zion rest, 
 As the chief Corner-stone 
 
 
264 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 3 The work, O Lord, is thine, 
 
 And wondrous in our eyes, 
 This day declares it all divine, 
 This day did Jesus rise. 
 
 4 This is the glorious day 
 
 That our Redeemer made; 
 Let us rejoice, and sing, and pray ; 
 Let all the church be glad. 
 
 5 Hosanna to the King 
 
 Of David's royal blood ; 
 Bless him, ye saints, he comes to bring 
 Salvation from your God. 
 
 6 We bless thy holy word, 
 
 Which all his grace displays ; 
 And offer on thine altar, Lord, 
 Our sacrifice of praise. 
 
 HYMN 52. L.M. 
 
 1 Another six days' work is done, 
 Another Sabbath is begun ; 
 Return, my soul, enjoy thy rest, 
 Improve the day thy God has blessed. 
 
 2 Come bless the Lord, whose love assigns 
 So sweet a rest to wearied minds ; 
 Provides an antepast of heaven, 
 
 And gives this day the food of seven. 
 
 3 O that our thoughts and thanks may rise 
 As grateful incense to the skies ; 
 
 And draw from heaven that sweet repose, 
 Which none but he who feels it, knows. 
 
 4 This heavenly calm, within the breast, 
 Is the dear pledge of glorious rest, 
 Which for the Church of God remains, 
 The end of cares, the end of pains. 
 
FAMILY HYMNS. 265 
 
 In holy duties let the day, 
 In holy pleasures pass away ; 
 How sweet a Sabbath thus to spend, 
 In hope of one that ne'er shall end ! 
 
 HYMN 53. S. M. 
 
 The Lord's day ; or, Delight in Ordinances. 
 
 1 Welcome sweet day of rest, 
 
 That saw the Lord arise, 
 Welcome to this reviving breast 
 And these rejoicing eyes ! 
 
 2 The King himself comes near, 
 
 And feasts his saints to-day ; 
 Here we may sit, and see him here, 
 And love, and praise, and pray. 
 
 3 One day amid the place 
 
 Where Christ my Lord hath been, 
 Is sweeter than ten thousand days 
 Of pleasurable sin. 
 
 4 My willing soul would stay 
 
 In such a frame as this, 
 And sit and sing herself away 
 To everlasting bliss. 
 
 HYMN 54, S. M. 
 
 The Resurrection of Christ on the Sabbath. 
 
 To-day the Saviour rose : 
 
 Our Jesus left the dead ; 
 He conquered our tremendous foes, 
 
 And Satan captive led. 
 
 He left his glorious throne, 
 
 To make our peace with God ; 
 Blessings forever on his name, - 
 
 He bought us with his blood. 
 23 
 
266 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 3 For us his life he paid ; 
 
 For us the law fulfilled ; 
 On him our loads of guilt were laid ; 
 We by his stripes were healed. 
 
 4 Ye saints, adore his name 
 
 Who hath such mercy shown ; 
 Ye sinners, love the bleeding Lamb, 
 And make his praises known. 
 
 HYMN 55. P.M. 
 
 The Resurrection of Christ on the Sabbath. 
 
 All hail ! the glorious morn, 
 That saw our Saviour rise 
 With victory bright adorned, 
 And triumph in his eyes ; 
 Ye saints extol 
 
 Your risen Lord, 
 And sing his praise 
 With sweet accord. 
 
 Behold the Lamb of God, 
 
 Th' atoning sacrifice, 
 Sustains the dreadful load 
 Of man's iniquities ; 
 Death, sin, and hell, 
 
 Our cruel foes, 
 All vanquished fell, 
 When Jesus rose. 
 
 At once the prison doors, 
 
 Death's awful gates expand ; 
 Their captive they restore, 
 At God's supreme command ; 
 How blest the hour ! 
 (Awake our joys,) 
 Hell's fatal power, 
 Lo ! he destroys. 
 
FAMILY II V MXS. 267 
 
 The Conqueror ascends, 
 
 In triumph to the skies; 
 
 Celestial hosts attend, 
 
 To crown his victories ; 
 
 Hark ! they proclaim 
 
 His glorious name ; 
 
 And heaven resounds 
 
 Immanuel's fame. 
 
 Now to the throne above, 
 
 Let every saint draw near ; 
 There dwells incarnate love ; 
 Grace sits triumphant there 
 See mercy smile, 
 
 Even on that throne, 
 Where once did wrath 
 And justice frown. 
 
 All praise be to the Lamb, 
 
 Who offered up his blood ; 
 Hosannas to his name, 
 
 That for our ransom stood ; 
 In notes sublime 
 
 With joy we sing, 
 The love divine 
 Of Christ our King. 
 
 HYMN 56. P. M 
 
 1 Yes ! the Redeemer rose, 
 
 The Saviour left the dead, 
 And o'er our hellish foes 
 
 High raised his conquering head ; 
 In wild dismay, 
 The guards around, 
 Fall to the ground, 
 And sink away. 
 
 2 Behold th' angelic bands 
 
 In full assembly meet, 
 To wait his high commands, 
 And worship at his feet. 
 
268 
 
 FAMILY RELIGION 
 
 Joyful they come, 
 And wing their way, 
 From realms of day 
 
 To Jesus' tomb. 
 
 Then back to heaven they fly, 
 
 The joyful news to bear — 
 Hark ! — as they soar on high, 
 What music fills the air 
 Their anthems say — 
 "Jesus, who bled, 
 Hath left the dead- 
 He rose to-day." 
 
 Ye mortals ! catch the sound— 
 
 Redeem'd by him from hell, 
 And send the echo round 
 The globe on which you dwell 
 Transported, cry — 
 " Jesus, who bled, 
 Hath left the dead, 
 And gone on high." 
 
 HYMN 57. 7*s. 
 
 1 Angels, roll the rock away ! 
 Death, yield up thy mighty pray ! 
 See ! — he rises from the tomb, 
 Rises with immortal bloom. 
 
 2 'T is the Saviour — seraphs, raise 
 Your triumphant shouts of praise 
 Let the earth's remotest bound 
 Hear the joy-inspiring sound. 
 
 3 Lift, ye saints, ]i^t up your eyes ! 
 Now to glory see him rise ! 
 Hosts of angels on the road 
 Hail and sing the incarnate God. 
 
 4 Heaven unfolds its portals wide; 
 Gracious conqueror through them ride, 
 King of glory mount thy throne, 
 Boundless empire is thine own. 
 
FAMILY HYMNS. 269 
 
 5 Praise him, all ye heavenly choirs, 
 Praise, and sweep your golden lyres ; 
 Praise him in the noblest songs, 
 Praise him from ten thousand tongues. 
 
 HYMN 58. L. M. 
 The eternal Sabbath. 
 
 1 Thine earthly Sabbaths, Lord, we love ; 
 But there 's a noblfcr rest above ; 
 
 To that our longing souls aspire, 
 With ardent pangs of strong desire. 
 
 2 No more fatigue, no more distress, 
 Nor sin, nor hell shall reach the place, 
 No groans to mingle with the songs, 
 Which warble from immortal tongues. 
 
 3 No rude alarms of raging foes ; 
 No cares to break the long repose ; 
 No midnight shade, no clouded sun, 
 Obscure the lustre of thy throne. 
 
 4 Around thy throne, grant we may meet, 
 And give us but the lowest seat ; 
 
 We'll shout thy praise, and join the song 
 Of the triumphant holy throng. 
 
 HYMN 59. P. M. 
 
 1 Awake, ye saints, awake 
 
 And hail this sacred day; 
 
 In loftiest songs of praise, 
 
 Your joyful homage pay. 
 Come bless the day that God hath blest, 
 The type of heaven's eternal rest. 
 
 2 On this auspicious morn 
 The Lord of life arose ; 
 He burst the bars of death, 
 And vanquish'd all our foes. 
 And now he pleads our cause above, 
 And reaps the fruits of all his love. 
 
270 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 3 All hail, triumphant Lord ! 
 Heaven with hosannas rings ; . 
 And earth in humble strains 
 Thy praise responsive sings. 
 
 Worthy the Lamb that once was slain, 
 Through endless years to live and reign. 
 
 4 Great King, gird on thy sword ; 
 Ascend thy conquering car ; 
 While justice, power, and love 
 Maintain thy glorious war. 
 
 This day let sinners own thy sway, 
 And rebels cast their arms away. 
 
 HYMN 60. CM. * 
 
 Sabbath Evening. 
 
 1 Frequent the day of God returns, 
 
 To shed its quick'ning beams ; 
 And yet how slow devotion burns ; 
 How languid are its flames ! 
 
 2 Accept our faint attempts to love, 
 
 Our frailties, Lord, forgive ; 
 We would be like thy saints above, 
 And praise thee while we live. 
 
 3 Increase, O Lord, our faith and hope, 
 
 And fit us to ascend, 
 Where the assembly ne'er breaks up, 
 The Sabbath ne'er shall end ; 
 
 4 Where we shall breathe in heavenly air, 
 
 With heavenly lustre shine, 
 Before the throne of God appear, 
 And feast on love divine. 
 
 5 Where we, in high seraphic strains, 
 
 Shall all our powers employ ; 
 Delighted range the ethereal plains, 
 And take our fill of joy. 
 
FAMILY HYMNS. 271 
 
 HYMN 61. Vs. 
 
 Sabbath, Evening. 
 Safely through another week, 
 
 God has brought us on our way ; 
 Let us now a blessing seek, 
 On this ending Sabbath day, 
 Day of all the week the best, 
 Emblem of eternal rest. 
 
 When the morn shall bid us rise, 
 May we feel thy presence near ! 
 May thy glory meet our eyes 
 "When we at thy throne appear ! 
 There afford us, Lord, a taste 
 Of our everlasting feast. 
 
 MISCELLANEOUS HYMNS. 
 
 HYMN 62. L. M. 
 
 Family Religion. Gex. xviii. 19. 
 
 1 Father of all, thy care we bless, 
 Which crowns our families with peace; 
 From thee they spring, and by thy hand 
 They have been and are still sustained. 
 
 2 To God, most worth)' to be praised, 
 Be our domestic altars raised ; 
 
 Who, Lord of heaven, scorns not to dwell 
 With saints in their obscurest cell. 
 
 3 To thee may each united house, 
 Morning and night, present its vows ; 
 Our servants there, and rising race, 
 Be taught thy precepts, and thy grace. 
 
 4 O may each future age proclaim, 
 The honours of thy glorious name ! 
 While pleased and thankful we remove, 
 To join the family above. 
 
272 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 HYMN 63. P.M. 
 
 The Family Vow. Josh, xxviii. 15. 
 
 1 I and my house will serve the Lord : 
 But first obedient to his word 
 
 I must myself appear : 
 By actions, words, and temper, show 
 That I my heavenly Master know, 
 
 And serve with heart sincere. 
 
 2 I must the fair example set : 
 
 From those that on my pleasure wait 
 
 The stumbling-block remove ; 
 Their duty by my life explain, 
 And still in all my works maintain 
 The dignity of love. 
 
 3 Easy to be entreated, mild, 
 Quickly appeased and reconciled, 
 
 A follower of my God ; 
 A saint indeed I long to be, 
 And lead my faithful family 
 
 In the celestial road. 
 
 4 Lord, if thou didst the wish infuse, 
 A vessel fitted for thy use 
 
 Into thy hands receive; 
 Work in me both to will and do, 
 And show them how believers true 
 And real Christians live. 
 
 HYMN 64. L. M. 
 Heaven the Christian's Home. Heb. xi. 13 — 16. 
 1 As when the weary traveller gains 
 The height of some commanding hill, 
 His eye quick-glancing o'er the plains, 
 
 Descries his home, though distant still ; 
 While he surveys the much-loved spot, 
 
 He slights the space that lies between ; 
 His past fatigues are now forgot, 
 For home endears the onward scene. 
 
FAMILY HYMNS. 273 
 
 2 So when the Christian pilgrim views 
 
 By faith his mansion in the skies, 
 The sight his fainting strength renews, 
 
 And wings his speed to reach the prize. 
 That heavenly home his spirit cheers, 
 
 No more he grieves for troubles past, 
 Nor any future trial fears, 
 
 So he may safe arrive at last. 
 
 HYMN 65. 8's, 7's. 
 Praise to Christ. 
 
 1 Brightness of the Father's glory ! 
 
 Shall thy praise unuttered lie 1 
 Dread each tongue such guilty silence, 
 Praise the Lord who came to die. 
 
 2 Hosts of angels sang thy coming, 
 
 Watchful shepherds learnt their lays ; 
 Shame would cover us, ungrateful, 
 Should our tongues refuse their praise. 
 
 3 From the highest throne in glory, 
 
 To the cross of deepest woe, 
 All to ransom guilty captives ! — 
 Flow our praise, for ever flow 
 
 4 Keascend, immortal Saviour ! 
 
 Leave thy footstool, take thy throne ; 
 Yet return, and reign for ever, 
 Be the kingdom all thine own ! 
 
 HYMN 66. CM. 
 
 Unchangeable Friend. Prov. xvii. 17. 
 
 I Come let our hearts and voices join, 
 To praise the Saviour's name ; 
 
 Whose truth and kindness are divine, 
 Whose love 's a constant flame. 
 
74 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 2 When most we need his gracious hand, 
 
 This Friend is always near ; 
 With heaven and earth at his command, 
 He waits to answer prayer. 
 
 3 His love no end or measure knows, 
 
 No change can turn its course ; 
 Immutably the same it flows, 
 From one eternal source. 
 
 4 When frowns appear to veil his face, 
 
 And clouds surround his throne, 
 He hides the purpose of his grace, 
 To make it better known. 
 
 5 And when our dearest comforts fall, 
 
 Before his sovereign will, 
 
 He never takes away our all, 
 
 Himself, he gives us still ! 
 
 6 Our sorrows in the scale he weighs, 
 
 And measures out our praise ; 
 The wildest storm his word obeys, 
 His word its mere restrains ! 
 
 t 
 
 HYMN 67. C. M. 
 
 The inspired Word, a System of Knowledge and Joy. 
 Psalm cxix. 105. 
 
 1 How precious is the book divine, 
 
 By inspiration given ! 
 Bright as a lamp its doctrines shine, 
 To guide our souls to heaven. » 
 
 2 It sweetly cheers our drooping hearts 
 
 In this dark vale of tears ; 
 Life, light, and joy, it still imparts, 
 And quells our rising fears. 
 
 3 This lamp, through all the tedious night 
 
 Of life, shall guide our way ; 
 Till we behold the clearer light 
 Of an eternal day. 
 
FAMILY HYMNS. 275 
 
 HYMN 68. L. M. 
 Christian Friendship. Ps. cxxxiii. 
 
 1 How blest the sacred tie that binds, 
 In union sweet, according minds ! 
 
 How swift the heavenly course they run, 
 Whose hearts, whose faith, whose hopes are one ! 
 
 2 To each, the soul of each how dear ! 
 What jealous love, what holy fear ! 
 How doth the generous flame within 
 Refine from earth, and cleanse from sin I 
 
 3 Their streaming eyes together flow 
 For human guilt and mortal woe ; 
 Their ardent prayers together rise, 
 Like mingling flames in sacrifice. 
 
 4 Together both they seek the place 
 Where God reveals his awful face ; 
 
 How high, how strong, their raptures swell, 
 There 's none but kindred souls can tell. 
 
 5 Nor shall the glowing flame expire 
 When nature droops her sickening fire; 
 Then shall they meet in realms above, 
 A heaven of joy — because of love. 
 
 HYMN 69. C, M. 
 
 The Atonement of Christ. 
 
 1 In vain we seek for peace with God 
 
 By methods of our own : 
 Nothing, O Saviour ! but thy blood 
 Can bring us near the throne. 
 
 2 The threatenings of thy broken law 
 
 Impress the soul with dread : 
 If God his sword of vengeance draw, 
 It strikes the spirit dead. 
 
 3 But thine illustrious sacrifice 
 
 Hath answered all demands; 
 And peace and pardon from the skies 
 Come to us by thy hands. 
 
276 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 4 'Tis by thy death we live, O Lord ! 
 'T is on thy cross we rest : 
 For ever be thy love adored, 
 Thy name for ever blest. 
 
 HYMN 70. SM. 
 
 The Family Altar. 
 
 1 In all my ways, O God, 
 
 I would acknowledge thee ; 
 And seek to keep my heart and house 
 From all pollution free. 
 
 2 Where'er I have a tent, 
 
 An altar will I raise ; 
 And thither my oblations bring, 
 Of humble prayer and praise. 
 
 3 Could I my wish obtain, 
 
 My household, Lord, should be 
 Devoted to thyself alone, 
 A nursery for thee. 
 
 HYMN 71. L. M. 
 77ie Happy Change. 
 
 1 In sin by blinded passions led, 
 
 In search of fancy's good we range ; 
 The paths of disappointment tread, 
 To nothing fixed, but love of change. 
 
 2 But when the Holy Ghost imparts 
 
 A knowledge of the Saviour's love ; 
 Our wandering, weary, restless hearts, 
 Are then renewed no more to rove. 
 
 3 Now a new principle takes place, 
 
 Which guides and animates the will, 
 This love, another name for grace, 
 Constrains to good, and bars from ill. 
 
 4 By love's-pure light we soon perceive 
 
 Our noblest bliss and proper end ; 
 And gladly every idol leave, 
 
 To love and serve our Lord and friend. 
 
FAMILY HYMNS. 277 
 
 HYMN 72. P.M. 
 For he hath said, I will never leave thee. Heb. xii. 5. 
 
 1 Never leave us, nor forsake us, 
 
 Thou on whom our souls rely; 
 Till thou shalt forever take us 
 
 To behold that glory nigh, 
 Which though distant, 
 Fills thy people's hearts with joy. 
 
 2 They are blest, and none beside them, 
 
 They who hope, O Lord, in Thee ; 
 They are blest, though all deride them, 
 They, whom grace and truth make free ; 
 
 Joys await them, 
 Where thou art, they hope to be. 
 
 3 Joys await them without measure, 
 
 Theirs, conferred by royal grant ; 
 Rivers of eternal pleasure, 
 For which now thy people pant, 
 
 Shall supply them, 
 And they then shall feel no want. 
 
 4 'T is the hope of this that charms them 
 
 From the love of all below ; 
 Hope of this with boldness arms them 
 To oppose the mighty foe ; 
 
 Hope of glory, 
 Sweetens toil and lightens woe. 
 
 HYMN 73. CM. 
 
 For Providence and Grace. 
 
 1 O Thou, my light, my life, my joy, 
 
 My glory, and my all ; 
 Unsent by thee, no good can come, 
 No evil can befall. 
 
 2 Such are thy schemes of providence, 
 
 And methods of thy grace, 
 That I may safely trust in thee, 
 Through all the wilderness. 
 21 
 
27 S FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 3 'T is thine outstretched and powerful arm, 
 
 Upholds me in the way ; 
 And thy rich bounty well supplies 
 The wants of every day. 
 
 4 For such compassions, O my God ! 
 
 Ten thousand thanks are due ; 
 For such compassions, I esteem 
 Ten thousand thanks too few. 
 
 HYMN -74. CM. 
 
 Goodness of God. Jer. xxxi. 12. 
 
 1 Thy goodness, Lord, our souls confess, 
 
 Thy goodness we adore ; 
 A spring whose blessings never fail, 
 A sea without a shore ! 
 
 2 Sun, moon, and stars, thy love attest 
 
 In every golden ray ; 
 Love draws the curtains of the night, 
 And love brings back the day. 
 
 3 Thy bounty every season crowns, 
 
 With all the bliss it yields ; 
 With joyful clusters loads the vines, 
 With strength'ning grain the fields. 
 
 4 But chiefly thy compassion, Lord, 
 
 Is in the Gospel seen ; 
 There, like a sun, thy mercy shines, 
 Without a cloud between. 
 
 5 Pardon, acceptance, peace, and joy, 
 
 Through Jesu's name are given ; 
 He on the cross was lifted high, 
 That we might reign in heaven. 
 
 HYMN 75. CM. 
 
 1 Now to the Lamb that once was slain, 
 Be endless blessings paid ; 
 Salvation, glory, joy, remain 
 Forever on thy head. 
 
FAMILY HYMNS. 279 
 
 2 Thou hast redeemed us by thy blood, 
 And set the pris'ners free ; 
 Hast made us kings and priests to God, 
 And we shall reign with thee. 
 
 HYMN 76. CM. 
 
 1 Come, Holy Spirit, heavenly Dove, 
 
 With all thy quick'ning powers, 
 Kindle a flame of sacred love 
 In these cold hearts of ours. 
 
 2 See how we grovel here below, 
 
 Fond of these earthly toys ; 
 Our souls how heavily they go 
 To reach eternal joys. 
 
 3 In vain we tune our lifeless songs, 
 
 In vain we strive to rise, 
 Hosannas languish on our tongues, 
 And our devotion dies. 
 
 4 Dear Lord ! and shall we ever live 
 
 At this poor dying rate, 
 Our love so faint, so cold to thee, 
 And thine to us so great ? 
 
 5 Come, Holy Spjrit, heavenly Dove, 
 
 With all thy quick'ning powers, 
 Come shed abroad a Saviour's love, 
 And that shall kindle ours. 
 
 HYMN 77. L. M. 
 
 1 O that my load of sin were gone ! 
 
 O that I could at last submit, 
 At Jesus' feet to lay me down ! 
 To lay my soul at Jesus' feet. 
 
 2 Rest for my soul I long to find : 
 
 Saviour of all, if mine thou art, 
 Give me thy meek and Jowly mind, 
 And stamp thy image on my heart. 
 
280 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 3 Break off the yoke of inbred sin, 
 
 And fully set my spirit free ; 
 I cannot rest till pure within, 
 Till I am wholly lost in thee. 
 
 4 But thou must give the will and power 
 
 My heart from every sin release ; 
 Bring near, bring near the joyful hour, 
 And fill me with thy perfect peace. 
 
 HYMN 78. L. M. 
 
 1 What sinners value I resign ; 
 
 Lord, 'tis enough that thou art mine : 
 
 I shall behold thy blissful face, 
 
 And stand complete in righteousness. 
 
 2 This life 's a dream, an empty show ; 
 But the bright world to which I go 
 Hath joys substantial and sincere ; 
 When shall I wake and find me there ? 
 
 3 O glorious hour ! O blest abode ! 
 I shall be near and like my God ! 
 And flesh and sin no more control 
 The sacred pleasures of the soul. 
 
 HYMN 79. 8's. 
 
 1 To Jesus, the crown of my hope, 
 My soul is in haste to be gone ; 
 O bear me, ye cherubim, up, 
 And waft me away to his throne. 
 
 2 My Saviour, whom absent I love, 
 Whom not having seen, I adore ; 
 Whose name is exalted above 
 All glory, dominion, and power. 
 
 3 Dissolve thou the bonds that detain 
 My soul from a portion in thee ; 
 
 O strike off the adamant chain, 
 And make me eternally free. 
 
FAMILY HYMNS. 281 
 
 Then that happy era begins, 
 When arrayed in thy glory I shine ; 
 And no longer I pierce with my sins 
 The bosom on which I recline. 
 
 HYMN §0. L. M. 
 
 1 Beset with snares on ev'ry hand, 
 In life's uncertain path 1 stand ; 
 Saviour divine, diffuse thy light 
 
 To guide my doubtful footsteps right. 
 
 2 Engage this roving, treacherous heart, 
 To fix on Mary's better part ; 
 
 To scorn the trifles of a day, 
 
 For joys that none can take away. 
 
 3 Then let the wildest storms arise — 
 Let tempests mingle earth and skies; 
 No fatal shipwreck shall I fear, 
 
 But all my treasures with me bear. 
 
 4 If thou, my Jesus, still be nigh, 
 Cheerful I live, and joyful die ; 
 Secure when mortal comforts flee, 
 To find ten thousand worlds in thee. 
 
 HYMN 81. ll's. 
 
 1 How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, 
 Is laid for your faith in his excellent word ! 
 What more can he say than to you he hath said, 
 You who to Jesus for refuge have fled 1 
 
 2 In every condition, in sickness, in health, 
 In poverty's vale, or abounding in wealth, 
 
 At home, and abroad, on the land, on the sea, 
 
 As thy days may demand, shall thy strength ever be. 
 
 3 Fear not, I am with thee ; be not dismayed, 
 For I am thy. God, and will still give thee aid ; 
 
 I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand 
 Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand. 
 
 24* 
 
282 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 4 When through the deep waters I call thee to go, 
 The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow; 
 
 For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless, 
 And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress. 
 
 5 The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose, 
 I will not — I will not desert to his foes ; 
 
 That soul, tho' all hell should endeavour to shake, 
 I'll never, no never, no never forsake. 
 
 HYMN 82. C. M. 
 
 1 Come let us join our cheerful songs 
 
 With angels round the throne, 
 Ten thousand thousand are their tongues, 
 But all their joys are one. 
 
 2 Worthy the Lamb that died, they cry, 
 
 To be exalted thus ! 
 Worthy the Lamb, our hearts reply, 
 For he was slain for us. 
 
 3 Jesus is worthy to receive 
 
 Honour and power divine, 
 And blessings more than we can give, 
 Be, Lord, forever thine ! 
 
 4 The whole creation join in one, 
 
 To bless the sacred name 
 Of him that sits upon the throne, 
 And to adore the Lamb. 
 
 HYMN 83. 7's 
 
 1 Rock of ages ! cleft for me, 
 Let me hide myself in thee, 
 Let the water and the blood, 
 From thy side, a healing flood, 
 Be of sin the double cure, 
 
 Save from wrath, and make me pure. 
 
 2 Not the labour of my hands 
 Can fulfil the law's demands : 
 
FAMILY HYMNS. 283 
 
 Should my tears forever flow, 
 Should my zeal no languor know, 
 This for sin could not atone, 
 Thou must save, and thou alone. 
 
 3 In my hand no price I bring, 
 Simply to thy cross I cling ; 
 Naked come to thee for dress, 
 Helpless look to thee for grace. 
 Vile, I to the fountain fly, 
 Wash me, Saviour, or I die. 
 
 4 While I draw this fleeting breath, 
 When my eyelids close in death, 
 When I soar to worlds unknown, 
 And behold thee on thy throne — 
 Rock of ages ! cleft for me, 
 
 Let me hide myself in thee. 
 
 HYMN 84. 8's&7's. 
 Divine Love, 2 Cor. iii. 17, 18. 
 
 1 Love divine, all love excelling, 
 
 Joy of heaven, to earth come down ; 
 Fix in us thy humble dwelling, 
 All thy faithful mercies crown. 
 
 2 Jesus, thou art all compassion, 
 
 Pure unbounded love thou art ; 
 Visit us with thy salvation, 
 Enter every trembling heart. 
 
 3 Come, thou Holy, heavenly Spirit, 
 
 Enter every troubled breast ; 
 Let us all in thee inherit 
 Peace, and joy, and holy rest. 
 
 4 Take away the love of sinning, 
 
 Alpha and Omega be ; 
 End of faith, as its beginning, 
 Set our souls at liberty. 
 
284 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 5 Carry on thy new creation, 
 
 Happy, holy may we be ! 
 Let us see our whole salvation 
 Perfectly secured by thee. 
 
 6 Changed from glory into glory, 
 
 Till in heaven we take our place, 
 
 Till we cast our crowns before thee, 
 
 Lost in wonder, love, and praise ! 
 
 HYMN 85. 7's&6's. 
 
 1 Rise, my soul, and stretch thy wings, 
 
 Thy better portion trace, 
 Rise from transitory things, 
 
 T'wards heaven thy destined place 
 Sun, and moon, and stars decay, 
 
 Time shall soon this earth remove, 
 Rise, my soul, and haste away 
 
 To seats prepared above. 
 
 2 Cease, ye pilgrims, cease to mourn, 
 
 Press onward to the prize ; 
 Soon your Saviour will return, 
 
 Triumphant in the skies ; 
 Where is everlasting peace, 
 
 Rest enduring, rest in heaven: 
 There will sorrow ever cease, 
 
 And crowns of joy be given. 
 
 HYMN 86. L. M. 
 
 Star of Bethlehem. Matt. ii. 10. 
 
 When marshall'd on the nightly plain 
 The glitt'ring hos£ bestud the sky ; 
 One star alone, of all the train, 
 Can fix the sinner's wand'ring eye. 
 
 Hark! hark! to God the chorus breaks 
 From every host, from every gem ; 
 But one alone the Saviour speaks ;— 
 It is the star of Bethlehem ! 
 
FAMILY HYMNS. 285 
 
 3 Once on the raging seas I rode, 
 
 The storm was loud — the night was dark—: 
 The ocean yawn'd— and rudely blow'd 
 The wind that toss'd my found'ring bark. 
 
 4 Deep horror then my vitals froze, 
 Death-struck, I ceased the tide to stem, 
 When suddenly a star arose — 
 
 It was the star of Bethlehem ! 
 
 5 It was my guide, my light, my all — 
 It bade my dark forebodings cease ; 
 
 And through the storm and danger's thrall, 
 It led me to the port of peace. 
 
 6 Now safely moor'd — my perils o'er, 
 I'll sing, first in night's diadem: 
 For ever, and for ever more, 
 
 The star ! — the star of Bethlehem ! 
 
 HYMN 87. 8's, & 7's. 
 
 Ebenezer, or, Praise, 1 Sam. vii. 12. 
 
 1 Come, thou Fount of every blessing ! 
 
 Tune my heart to sing thy grace 
 Streams of mercy, never ceasing, 
 
 Call for songs of loudest praise ; 
 Teach me some melodious sonnet, 
 
 Sung by flaming tongues above ; 
 Praise the mount — Oh fix me on it, 
 
 Mount of God's unchanging love. 
 
 2 Here I raise my Ebenezer, 
 
 Hither by thy help I 'm come ; 
 And I hope by thy good pleasure 
 
 Safely to arrive at home : 
 Jesus sought me when a stranger, 
 
 Wandering from the fold of God, 
 He, to rescue me from danger, 
 
 Interposed his precious blood. 
 
288 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 3 O ! to grace how great a debtor 
 
 Daily I 'm constrained to be ! 
 Let that grace now, like a fetter, 
 
 Bind my wandering heart to thee ! 
 Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, 
 
 Prone to leave the God I love — 
 Here's my heart — O take and seal it ! 
 
 Seal it for thy courts above ! 
 
 HYMN 88. L. M. 6 lines. 
 
 Child?' en's Hymn. 
 
 1 Father of all, whose tender love, 
 Whose bounty all thy creatures prove, 
 We feel thy goodness, own thy power ; 
 Thy hand sustains us every hour. 
 Father receive our hymn of praise, 
 Nor scorn the humble strains we raise. 
 
 2 Oh, may thy grace our hearts prepare, 
 Thy truth, thy goodness to declare ! 
 The kindness of our friends repay ; 
 Guard them through life to endless day ; 
 For them our infant hearts we raise, 
 Impressed with gratitude and praise. 
 
 HYMN 89. L. M. 6 lines. 
 
 1 When gathering clouds around I view, 
 And days are dark, and friends are few, 
 On him I lean, who not in vain 
 Experienced every human pain ; 
 
 He sees my wants, allays my fears, 
 And counts and treasures up my tears. 
 
 2 If aught should tempt my soul to stray 
 From heavenly virtue's narrow way, 
 To fly the good I would pursue, 
 
 Or do the sin I would not do ; 
 
 Still he, who felt temptation's power, 
 
 Shall guard me in that dangerous hour. 
 
FAMILY HYMNS. 287 
 
 3 If wounded love my bosom swell, 
 Deceived by those I prized too well, 
 He shall his pitying aid bestow 
 Who felt on earth severer woe ; 
 
 At once betrayed, denied, or fled, 
 By all who shared his daily bread. 
 
 4 When vexed thoughts within me rise, 
 And sore dismayed my spirit dies ; 
 Y^et he who once vouchsafed to bear 
 The sickening anguish of despair, 
 Shall sweetly soothe, shall gently dry, 
 The throbbing heart, the streaming eye. 
 
 5 When sorrowing o'er some stone I bend 
 Which covers all that was a friend, 
 And from his voice, his hand, his smile, 
 Divides me for a little while ; 
 
 Thou, Saviour, seest the tears I shed, 
 For thou didst weep o'er Lazarus dead. 
 
 6 And O, when I have safely past 
 Through every conflict but the last, 
 Still, still unchanging wait beside 
 My painful bed — for thou hast died ; 
 Then point to realms of cloudless day, 
 And wipe the latest tear away. 
 
 HYMN 90. 8's. 
 
 1 Ye angels who stand round the throne, 
 
 And view my Immanuel's face, 
 In rapturous songs make him known ; 
 
 Tune, tune your soft harps to his praise ; 
 He formed you the spirits you are, 
 
 So happy, so noble, so good ; 
 While others sunk down in despair, 
 
 Confirmed by his power, ye stood. 
 
 2 Ye saints, who stand nearer than they, 
 
 And cast your bright crowns at his feet, 
 His grace and his glory display, 
 And all his rich mercy repeat ; 
 
288 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 He snatched you from hell and the grave, 
 He ransomed from death and despair j 
 
 For you he was mighty to save, 
 Almighty to bring you safe there. 
 
 3 O, when will the period appear, 
 
 When 1 shall unite in your song 1 
 I 'm weary of lingering here, 
 
 And I to your Saviour belong ! 
 I 'm fettered and chained up in clay, 
 
 I struggle and pant to be free ; 
 I long to be soaring away, 
 
 My God and my Saviour to see. 
 
 - 4 I want to put on my attire, 
 
 Washed white in the blood of the Lamb ; 
 I want to be one of your choir, 
 
 And tune my sweet harp to his name ; 
 I want — oh I want to be there, 
 
 Where sorrow and sin bid adieu, 
 Your joy and your friendship to share, 
 
 To wonder and worship with you. 
 
 HYMN 91. P.M. 
 
 Free Grace. Zech. iv. 7. 
 
 1 The voice of free grace, cries, Escape to the mountain ; 
 For all that believe Christ hath open'd a fountain 
 
 For sin and uncleanness, and every transgression, 
 His blood flows most freely, in streams of salvation : 
 Hallelujah to the Lamb, who has bought us a pardon, 
 W^e'll praise him again, when we pass over Jordan. 
 
 2 Ye souls that are wounded, to the Saviour repair, 
 Now he calls you in mercy — and can you forbear 1 
 Though your sins are increased, as high as a mountain, 
 His blood can remove them ; it streams from the fountain. 
 
 Hallelujah to the Lamb, &c. &c. 
 
 3 Now Jesus, our King, reigns triumphantly glorious ; 
 O'er sin, death, and hell, he is more than victorious. 
 With shouting proclaim it ; O trust in his passion ; 
 He saves us most freely — O precious salvation ! 
 
 Hallelujah to the Lamb, <Sc &c. 
 
FAMILY HYMNS. 289 
 
 4 With joy shall we stand, when escaped to the shore, 
 With harps in our hands, we '11 praise him the more : 
 We '11 range the sweet plains on the banks of the river, 
 And sing of salvation for ever and ever. 
 Hallelujah to the Lamb, &c. &c. 
 
 HYMN 92. 8's & 7's, 8's, 7's, 7V, 7's. 
 Isaiah lxiii. 
 
 1 Who is this that comes from Edom, 
 All his raiment stained with blood ? 
 To the captive speaking freedom, 
 Bringing and bestowing good; 
 Glorious in the garb he wears, 
 Glorious in the spoil he bears. 
 
 2 'T is the Saviour, now victorious, 
 Travelling onward in his might ; 
 'T is the Saviour, O how glorious 
 To his people, is the sight ! 
 Satan conquered, and the grave, 
 Jesus now is strong to save. 
 
 3 Wiry that blood his raiment staining ! 
 'T is the blood of many slain ; 
 
 Of his foes, there 's none remaining, 
 Now the contest to maintain : 
 Fallen are they, not to rise ; 
 All their glory prostrate lies. 
 
 4 Mighty Victor, reign forever, 
 Wear the crown so dearly won ! 
 Never shall thy people, never 
 Cease to sing what thou hast done ! 
 Thou hast fought thy people's foes ; 
 Thou hast heal'd thy people's woes! 
 
 HYMN 93. C. M. 
 Oh, could I find, from day to day, 
 
 A nearness to my God ! 
 Then should my hours glide sweet away, 
 And lean upon his word. 
 25 
 
290 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 2 Lord, I desire with thee to live 
 
 Anew from day to day, 
 In joys the world can never give, 
 Nor ever take away. 
 
 3 O, Jesus, come and rule my heart, 
 
 And make me wholly thine, 
 
 That I may never more depart, 
 
 Nor grieve thy love divine. 
 
 4 Thus, till my last expiring breath, 
 
 Thy goodness I '11 adore ; 
 And when my flesh dissolves in death, 
 My soul shall love thee more. 
 
 HYMN 94. lO's&ll's. 
 
 1 Begone, unbelief! my Saviour is near, 
 And for my relief, will surely appear ; 
 
 By prayer let me wrestle, and he will perform ; 
 With Christ in the vessel, I smile at the storm. 
 
 2 Though dark be my way, since he is my guide, 
 'T is mine to obey, 't is his to provide : 
 Though cisterns be broken, and creatures all fail, 
 The word he has spoken, shall surely prevail. 
 
 3 His love, in time past, forbids me to think 
 He'll leave me at last in trouble to sink; 
 Each sweet Ebenezer, I have in review, 
 Confirms his good pleasure to help me quite through. 
 
 4 Why should I complain of want and distress, 
 Temptation or pain 1 — he told me no less : 
 The heirs of salvation, I know from his word, 
 Through much tribulation must follow their Lord. 
 
 5 Since all that I meet shall work for my good, 
 The bitter is sweet, the medicine food : 
 
 Though painful at present, 't will cease before long, 
 And then, O how pleasant the conqueror's song ! 
 
FAMILY HYMNS. 291 
 
 HYMN 93. CM. 
 
 1 Whilst thee I seek, protecting Power ! 
 
 Be my vain wishes still'd ; 
 
 And may this consecrated hour 
 
 With better hopes be fill'd. 
 
 2 Thy love the power of thought bestowed, 
 
 To thee my thoughts would soar ; 
 Thy mercy o'er my life has flowed, 
 That mercy I adore. 
 
 3 In each event of life, how clear 
 
 Thy ruling hand I see ! 
 Each blessing to my soul most dear, 
 Because conferred by thee. 
 
 4 In every joy that crowns my days, 
 
 In every pain I bear, 
 My heart shall find delight in praise, 
 Or seek relief in prayer. ■ 
 
 5 When gladness wings my favoured hour, 
 
 Thy love my thoughts shall fill : 
 Resigned when storms of sorrow lower, 
 My soul shall meet thy will. 
 
 6 My lifted eye, without a tear, 
 
 The gathering storm shall see : 
 My steadfast heart shall know no fear, 
 That heart will rest on thee. 
 
 HYMN 96. ll's, double. 
 
 1 The sound of salvation is echoed afar, 
 
 The breezes have borne the glad tidings abroad; 
 The light that is beaming from Bethlehem s star, 
 Is chasing the darkness from sorrow's abode : 
 The wastes of the desert in verdure appear, 
 With rich blooming fragrance perfuming the air ; 
 The mountains are sinking, the valleys arise, 
 And earth is becoming the joy of the skies. 
 
292 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 2 The sound of salvation is echoed afar ; 
 
 The heralds aloud the glad tidings proclaim ; 
 The sons of redemption now waken to prayer, 
 
 And millions rejoice in Immanuel's name : 
 O tremble, ye fugitives, monsters of sin ! 
 Ye demons of darkness, ye foul and unclean ! 
 Ye soon shall descend to your destined abode, 
 While earth shall rejoice in the smiles of her God. 
 
 3 The sound of salvation is echoed afar, 
 
 And converts outnumber the drops of the morn ; 
 Loud songs of rejoicing are borne through the air, 
 
 From regions long wasted, despised and forlorn : 
 Now millions of heathen receive the glad word, 
 The outcasts of Israel return to the Lord, 
 The earth and the sea shall be cleansed from their stain, 
 And Jesus, triumphant, begin his glad reign. 
 
 HYMN 9T. 6'8,4's. 
 
 1 Come, thou almighty King, 
 Help us thy name to sing, 
 
 Help "us to praise ! 
 Father all glorious, o'er all victorious, 
 Come, and reign over us, ancient of days. 
 
 2 Jesus, our Lord, arise, 
 Scatter our enemies, 
 
 And make them fall ! 
 Let thine almighty aid our sure defence be made ; 
 Our souls on thee be staid ; Lord, hear our call ! 
 
 3 Come, thou incarnate Word, 
 Gird on thy mighty sword ; 
 
 Our prayer attend ! 
 Come, and thy people bless, and give thy word success ; 
 Spirit of holiness, on us descend ! 
 
 4 Come, holy Comforter, 
 Thy sacred witness bear, 
 
 In this glad hour ! 
 Thou, who almighty art, now rule in every heart, 
 And ne'er from us depart, Spirit of power. 
 
FAMILY HYMNS. 293 
 
 5 To the great One in Three, 
 The highest praises be, 
 Hence evermore ! 
 His sovereign majesty may we in glory see, 
 And to eternity, love and adore ! 
 
 HYMN 98. CM. 
 
 1 Oh for a closer walk with God, 
 
 A calm and heavenly frame ; 
 
 A light to shine upon the road 
 
 That leads me to the Lamb ! 
 
 2 Where is the blessedness I knew 
 
 When first I saw the Lord 1 
 Where is the soul-refreshing view 
 Of Jesus and his word 1 
 
 3 What peaceful hours I once enjoyed ! 
 
 How sweet their memory still ! 
 But they have left an aching void, 
 The world can never fill. 
 
 4 Return, O holy Dove, return ! 
 
 Sweet messenger of rest ! 
 I hate the sins that made thee mourn, 
 And drove thee from my breast. 
 
 5 The dearest idol I have known, 
 
 Whate'er that idol be, 
 Help me to tear it from thy throne, 
 And worship only thee. 
 
 6 So shall my walk be close with God, 
 
 Calm and serene my frame ; 
 So purer light shall mark the road 
 That leads me to the Lamb. 
 
 HYMN 99. 7's 
 
 1 Jesus ! lover of my soul, 
 Let me to thy bosom fly, 
 While the raging billows roll, — 
 While the tempest still is high ! 
 25* 
 
294 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 Hide me, O my Saviour, hide, 
 Till the storm of life is past ; 
 
 Safe into the haven guide; 
 O, receive my soul at last. 
 
 2 Other refuge have I none, — 
 
 Hangs my helpless soul on thee ; 
 Leave, ah ! leave me not alone, 
 
 Still support and comfort me ; 
 All my trust on thee is staid, 
 
 All my help from thee I bring ; 
 Cover my defenceless head 
 
 With the shadow of thy wing. 
 
 3 Thou, O Christ, art all I want ; 
 
 All in all in thee I find ! 
 Raise the fallen, cheer the faint, 
 
 Heal the sick, and lead the blind ! 
 Just and holy is thy name, 
 
 I am all unrighteousness, 
 Vile and full of sin I am, 
 
 Thou art full of truth and grace. 
 
 4 Plenteous grace with thee is found, 
 
 Grace to pardon all my sin — 
 Let the healing streams abound; 
 
 Make and keep me pure within ; 
 Thou of life the fountain art, 
 
 Freely let me take of thee ; 
 Spring thou up within my heart 
 
 Rise to all eternity. 
 
 HYMN 100. L. If. 6 lines. 
 
 Sweet as the shepherd's tuneful reed, 
 From Zion's mount I heard the sound 
 Gay sprung the flowers of the mead, 
 And gladdened nature smiled around: 
 The voice of peace salutes mine ear, 
 Christ's lovely voice perfumes the air. 
 
FAMILY HYMNS. 295 
 
 2 Peace, troubled soul, whose plaintive moan 
 Hath taught these rocks the note of woe ; 
 Cease thy complaint, suppress thy groan, 
 And let thy tears forget to flow : 
 
 Behold the precious balm is poured, 
 
 That sheathes th' avenger's glittering sword. 
 
 3 As spring the winter, day the night, 
 Peace, sorrow's gloom hath chased away ; 
 And smiling joy, a seraph bright, 
 
 Shall tend thy steps, and near thee stay ; 
 Whilst glory weaves th' immortal crown, 
 And waits to claim thee for her own. 
 
 HYMN 101. L. M. 
 
 Ps. cii. 21, 22. 
 
 1 Eternal Lord ! from land to land 
 Shall echo thine all-glorious name ; 
 Till kingdoms bow at thy command, 
 And every lip thy praise proclaim. 
 
 2 Exalted high, on every shore, 
 The banner of the cross unfurled, 
 Shall summon thousands to adore 
 The Saviour of a ransomed world. 
 
 3 Thousands shall join thy pilgrim band, 
 And, by that sacred standard led, 
 Press forward to Immanuel's land, 
 Nor fear the thorny path to tread. 
 
 4 Triumphant over every foe, 
 
 Their ransomed numbers shall move on, 
 To that blest world where sin or woe 
 Shall never mingle with their song. 
 
 HYMN 102. L. M. 
 
 At anchor laid, remote from home 
 Toiling, I cry, sweet spirit come ! 
 Celestial breeze, no longer stay, 
 But swell my sails and speed my way ! 
 
296 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 2 Fain would I mount, fain would I glow, 
 And loose my cable from below : 
 But I can only spread my sail : 
 Thou — thou must breathe th' auspicious gale ! 
 
 HYMN 103. CM. 
 
 Resignation. 
 
 1 My God, my Father ! blissful name ! 
 
 may I call thee mine ! 
 
 May I, with sweet assurance, claim 
 A portion so divine ! 
 
 2 This can my every fear control, 
 
 And bid my sorrows fly ; 
 What harm can ever reach my soul 
 Beneath my Father's eye. 
 
 3 Whate'er thy providence denies, 
 
 1 calmly would resign ; 
 
 For thou art good, and just and wise: 
 O bend my will to thine. 
 
 4 If pain and sorrow rend this frame, 
 
 And life almost depart ; 
 Is not thy mercy still the same, 
 To cheer my drooping heart 1 
 
 5 Thy sovereign ways are all unknown 
 
 To my weak, erring sight ; 
 Yet let my soul, adoring own 
 That all thy ways are right. 
 
 HYMN 104. CM. 
 
 Comfort in Affliction. 
 
 1 O thou who driest the mourner's tear, 
 
 How dark this world would be, 
 If, pierced by sins and sorrows here, 
 We could not fly to thee ! 
 
 2 The friends, who in our sunshine live, 
 
 When winter comes, are flown; 
 And he who has but tears to give, 
 Must weep those tears alone. 
 
FAMILY HYMNS. 297 
 
 3 But thou wilt hear that broken heart, 
 
 Which, Jike the plants that throw 
 Their fragrance from the wounded part, 
 Breathes sweetness out of woe. 
 
 4 When joy no longer soothes or cheers, 
 
 And e'en the hope that threw 
 A moment's sparkle o'er our tears, 
 Is dimm'd and vanish'd too ! 
 
 5 Oh ! who could bear life's stormy doom, 
 
 Did not thy wing of love 
 Come brightly wafting through the gloom 
 Our peace-branch from above ] 
 
 6 Then sorrow touch'd by thee, grows bright, 
 
 With more than rapture's ray ; 
 As darkness shows us worlds of light, 
 We never saw by day. 
 
 HYMN 105. ll's. 
 / would not live alway. Job vii. 16. 
 1 I would not live alway : I ask not to stay 
 Where storm after storm rises dark o'er the way ; 
 The few lurid mornings that dawn on us here, 
 Are enough for life's woes, full enough for its cheer. 
 
 2 I would not live alway, thus fetter'd by sin ; 
 Temptation without, and corruption within: 
 E'en the rapture of pardon is mingled with fears, 
 And the cup of thanksgiving with penitent tears. 
 
 3 I would not live alway; no — welcome the tomb! 
 Since Jesus has laid there, I dread not its gloom ; 
 There sweet be my rest, till he bid me arise 
 
 To hail him in triumph descending the skies. 
 
 4 Who, who would live alway, away from his God ; 
 Away from yon heaven, that blissful abode, 
 
 Where the rivers of pleasure flow o'er the bright plains, 
 And the noon-tide of glory eternally reigns ; 
 
 5 Where the saints of all ages in harmony meet, 
 Their Saviour and brethren, transported to greet: 
 While the anthems of rapture unceasingly roll, 
 And the smile of the Lord is the feast of the soul ! 
 
298 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 HYMN 106. C. M. 
 
 Christ Precious. 1 Peter, ii. 7. 
 
 1 How sweet the name of Jesus sounds 
 
 In a believer's ear ! 
 It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds, 
 And drives away his fear. 
 
 2 It makes the wounded spirit whole, 
 
 And calms the troubled breast ; 
 'Tis manna to the hungry soul, 
 And to the weary rest. 
 
 3 By him my prayers acceptance gain, 
 
 Although with sin defiled, 
 Satan accuses me in vain, 
 And I am owned a child. 
 
 4 Weak is the effort of my heart, 
 
 And cold my warmest thought ; 
 But when I see thee as thou art, 
 I'll praise thee as I ought. 
 
 5 Till then I would thy love proclaim, 
 
 With every fleeting breath ; 
 And may the music of thy name 
 Refresh my soul in death. 
 
 HYMN 107. L. M. 
 
 1 Awake, my soul, in joyful lays, 
 
 And sing thy great Redeemer's praise ; 
 He justly claims a song from thee, 
 His loving kindness, O how free ! 
 
 2 He saw me ruined in the fall, 
 Yet loved me, notwithstanding all 
 He saved me from my lost estate, 
 His loving-kindness, O how great ! 
 
 3 Though numerous hosts of mighty foes, 
 Though earth and hell my way oppose, 
 He safely leads my soul along, 
 
 His loving-kindness, O how strong ! 
 
FAMILY HYMNS. 290 
 
 4 When trouble, like a gloomy cloud, 
 Has gathered thick, and thundered loud, 
 He near my soul has always stood, 
 
 His loving kindness, O how good ! 
 
 5 Often I feel my sinful heart 
 Prone from my Saviour to depart ; 
 But though I oft have him forgot, 
 His loving-kindness changes not. 
 
 6 Soon shall I pass the gloomy vale 
 Soon all my mortal powers must fail ; 
 O may my last expiring breath 
 
 His loving-kindness sing in death ! 
 
 7 Then let me mount and soar away, 
 To the bright world of endless day ; 
 And sing with rapture and surprise, 
 His loving-kindness in the skies. 
 
 HYMN 108. CM. 
 
 1 O for a heart to praise my God, 
 
 A heart from sin set free ! 
 A heart that always feels thy blood, 
 So freely shed for me ! 
 
 2 A heart resigned, submissive, meek ; 
 
 My great Redeemer's throne ; 
 Where only Christ is heard to speak; 
 Where Jesus reigns alone ! 
 
 3 A heart in every thought renewed, 
 
 And full of love divine; 
 Holy, and right, and pure, and good — 
 A copy, Lord, of thine ! 
 
300 FAMILY RELIGION. 
 
 DOXOLOGIES. 
 L. M. 
 
 To God the Father, God the Son, 
 And God the Spirit, Three in One, 
 Be honour, praise, and glory given, 
 By all on earth, and all in heaven. 
 
 C. M. 
 
 To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, 
 
 The God whom we adore, 
 Be glory as it was, is now, 
 
 And shall be evermore. 
 
 S. M. 
 
 Ye angels round the throne, 
 
 And saints that dwell below, 
 Worship the Father, praise the Son, 
 
 And bless the Spirit too. 
 
 7's. 
 
 Sing we to our God above 
 Praise eternal as his love, 
 Praise him, all ye Heavenly host, 
 Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. 
 
 8's, 7's, 4's. 
 
 Great Jehovah ! we adore thee, 
 God the Father, God the Son, 
 
 God the Spirit, join'd in glory 
 On the same Eternal Throne : 
 
 Endless praises 
 
 To Jehovah, Three in One. 
 
 8's, 8's, 6's. 
 
 To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, 
 Be praise amid the Heavenly host, 
 
 And in the Church below : 
 From whom all creatures draw their breath, 
 By whom redemption bless'd the earth 
 
 From whom all comforts flow. 
 
 As the 113th Psalm. 
 
 Now to the great and sacred Three, 
 The Father, Son, and Spirit, be 
 
 Eternal praise and glory given, 
 Through all the worlds where God is known, 
 By all the Angels near the throne, 
 
 And all the Saints in earth and Heaven. 
 
 As the 148th Psalm. 
 
 To God the Father's throne 
 Perpetual honours raise; 
 Glory to God the Son, 
 To God the Spirit praise ; 
 With all our powers, 
 Eternal King, 
 Thy name we sing, 
 While faith adores. 
 
 THE END. 
 


 wftf. 
 
I